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Tag: Godwin Emefiele

  • Emefiele’s trial: Witness reveals CBN board did not recommend Naira redesign

    Emefiele’s trial: Witness reveals CBN board did not recommend Naira redesign

    A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Obiorah, on Thursday said the board of the apex bank never recommended the 2022 Naira redesign to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Obiorah said this while testifying virtually before the FCT High Court at the resumed hearing  in the ongoing trial of the suspended governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele.

    Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Maryanne Anenih, on  four-count charge bordering on disobedience to the direction of law and illegal act causing injury to the public.

    Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on behalf of the Federal Government, in the charge, marked FCT/HC/CR/264/2024.

    He however pleaded not guilty to the charge .

    Led in evidence-in-chief by the prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, Obiorah, said that he ounce served as Special Adviser to Emefiele on Economic Matters.

    Obiorah, who later became deputy governor, said the CBN board first heard of the Naira redesign policy on Dec. 15, 2022.

    “To the best of my recollection, the first day this policy (Naira redesign) was discussed at the board meeting was mid December, 2022. I think it was around Dec. 15, 2022.

    “The governor (Emefiele) invited the deputy governor, Operations and Director, Currency Operations to present that same memo that the Committee of Governors (COG) saw in October. He also informed the board of the President’s approval.

    “I do not recollect any instance where the board made recommendation for Nairan redesign to the President. The board did not recommend the  Naira redesign.”

    Obiorah, testified as the fifth prosecution witness (PW5). He earlier told the court that Emefiele informed the four CBN deputy governors of the Naira redesign policy at an event in Lagos on Oct. 25, 2022, adding that they advised him against announcing the policy at the event.

    “On that day, we were in Lagos to commemorate the first year anniversary of the digital currency, E-Naira. During the break between the first two sessions of the event, the governor (Emefiele) called the four deputy governors and informed us of plans to redesign the currency.

    “He was contemplating to announce it that day at the event. My personal reaction was that the event may not be the appropriate place. That was the first time I became aware of the plan.

    “Secondly, my comment was that we would need time to study the policy and make inputs,” the witness told the court.

    According to Obiorah, Emefiele told the four deputy governors tha the reason behind the secrecy of the redesign policy was to ensure its effective implementation.

    He said that on Oct. 26, 2022, the defendant the deputy governor in charge of operations, Mr Ade Shonubi, circulated and presented a memo for Naira redesign,.

    “The deputy governor, Operations, presented the memo to the COG and it was deliberated on. During the discussion, the governor mentioned that he got the approval of the President for the policy.

    “After the COG meeting, the governor and two deputy governors joined a news conference to announce the policy to the public. All this happened on Oct. 26, 2022,” he told the court.

    Under cross examination by counsel for Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo SAN, the witness confirmed that he had previously worked as technical adviser to former President Good luck Jonathan.

    He said at its Dec. 15, 2022 meeting, the CBN board ratified the decision of the COG on Naira redesign policy, saying , “this ratification is in respect of the redesigned Naira already in circulation.”

    The PW5 also said he was aware of instances of presidential approval for disbursement of funds to Chad, Niger Republic and the military, which the CBN complied with.

    “Such (presidential) request would come to the governor. He would usually let the committee (COG) know and it would be implemented before the board get to know.”

    He added that when he was invited by the EFCC, he was never shown and documents from former President Buhari or any officials from the presidency complaining about the redesigned Naira notes already in circulation.

    He confirmed that one of the reasons for currency redesign was to combat currency trafficking and hoarding. After his evidence, Justice Anenih adjourned further hearing until Dec. 4.

  • Court orders final forfeiture of $2.04m linked to Emefiele

    Court orders final forfeiture of $2.04m linked to Emefiele

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday, ordered a final forfeiture of 2.04 million dollars, linked to the suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    Justice Isaac Dipeolu also ordered final forfeiture of landed properties as well as share certificates of Queensdorf Global Fund Ltd Trust, all linked to Emefiele.

    The court made the final orders of forfeiture, after holding that the former CBN governor or any other interested party did not contest same after an earlier interim forfeiture order.

    The court held that the respondent was not able to connect his lawful earnings from Zenith bank and the CBN, to acquisition of the properties.

    Tthe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) had by a motion on Aug. 15, sought an order to forfeit the properties on grounds that they were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities

    Oyedepo had added that the orders sought were pursuant to Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, Section 44 (2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

    The court had granted the interim order of forfeiture on the properties and had adjourned for any interested party to appear in court and show cause.

    In its ruling on Friday, the court held that the respondent failed to provide documents or links to show that he owned the properties.

    The court held that the conclusion that can be deduced is that there must be something dark about acquisition of the properties, which the respondent and the companies do not want to come to light.

    The judge consequently, held that “the interested party has failed to demonstrate any lawful interest in the properties and that they were aquired from his legitimate earnings”.

    “I, therefore order the final forfeiture to the Federal Government of Nigeria, of all those properties, which are reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful
    activities”.

    The properties are: two fully detached duplexes of identical structures, lying being and situated at No. 17b Hakeem Odumosu Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

    “An undeveloped land, measuring 1919.592sqm at Oyinkan Abayomi Drive Ikoyi, Lagos; a bungalow at No. 65a Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos and a four-bedroom duplex at 12a Probyn Road, Ikoyi.

    Others are an industrial complex under construction, 22 plots of land in Agbor, Delta State; eight units of an undetached apartment at No. 8a Adekunle Lawal Road, Ikoyi, and a full duplex together with all its appurtenances on a plot of land at 2a Bank Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

  • Godwin Emefiele denied UK medical trip

    Godwin Emefiele denied UK medical trip

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application filed by  the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele  to travel  to the UK medical treatment.

    The EFCC charged Emefiele   with criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

    Among the allegations was that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

    Besides he is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

    Emefiele in the amended charge was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023 knowingly obtain, by false pretence, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

    Justice Hamza Muazu,dismissed the application in a ruling.

    Muazu held that though the applicant stated that he would be away from July 28 to Sept 10, there was no medical appointment or invitation brought before the court.

    He held that though, the court had the discretion to grant leave but the applicant is standing trial in various charges in three courts, two in FCT and one in Lagos.

    ”The letter of invitation for medical follow up is not attached. As it stands now, I can not use my discretion to grant the application and he is standing trial in three courts.

    ”The application is hereby dismissed and the adjourned date for continuation of trial still stands” he held.

    At the proceedings of June 25, Enefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, informed the judge of the defendant’s application for medical leave.

    The judge adjourned the hearing of the application until July 8.

    On July 8, Emefiele through his lawyer, Labi Lawal, urged the court to release his passport, previously deposited as part of his bail conditions, to enable him to travel to the UK for medical treatment.

    However, the prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, argued that no medical report was presented to the court showing that Emefiele was suffering from an ailment that could not be treated in Nigeria.

    He added that the defence did not present any medical report showing that an ailment plagued Emefiele.

    Lawal told the court that there was also no evidence to show that his ailment cannot be treated in Nigeria.

    He also stated that Emefiele posed a flight risk due to his connections with co-conspirators abroad and ongoing trials in three different courts.

    However, the defence counsel faulted the prosecution’s arguments as speculative.

    He said an international red alert could ensure Emefiele is returned if he did not comply after the medical trip.

  • How Emefiele moved funds to wife – Witness

    How Emefiele moved funds to wife – Witness

    An Assistant Manager with Zenith Bank Plc, Mrs Ifeoma Ogbonnaya, has narrated how Mr Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), moved funds to his wife, Mrs Margaret Emefiele.

    Ogbonnaya told an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Tuesday how Emefiele used the bank to move multimillion naira to his wife.

    Emefiele is standing trial over abuse of office and alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud while in office.

    Ogbonnaya, the fifth prosecution witness, was led in evidence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

    She told the court how Emefiele used Zenith Bank to transfer millions of naira in tranches to his wife through various companies.

    Ogbonnaya said  the companies that received the cash flow were Amswing Resources and Solution, Limelight Dimensional Service Ltd., Omec Support Service Ltd. and Mango Farm.

    “Limelight manages the facilities of CBN, located at Alakija and all transactions pertaining to power and fixing things that are not working was always done by the vendors,” she said.

    The witness who also doubles as a Business Relationship Manager, joined the bank in 2006.

    Ogbonnaya said she never had direct dealings with the ex-CBN governor but received instructions from his wife to transfer cash from CBN into their private companies through Zenith Bank account.

    She said apart from Mrs Emefiele she also received instructions from two other people, one Mr John Ogah and one Mr Opeyemi Oludimu, who worked for the Emefiele but now late.

    The witness, however, said that she managed the various companies accounts through which the multimillion naira was sent to.

    “Mrs Margaret Emefiele, the ex-CBN governor’s wife, is the direct beneficiary of the accounts.

    “The companies sent transfer instructions to my email and Margaret is the beneficial owner of the accounts.

    “All transactions made in the accounts were confirmed by Mrs Emefiele before they were processed.

    “She sends transfer instructions directly to my official email address with Zenith Bank or sends two other persons to act on her behalf but I still receive approval from her,” she said.

    The witness also told the court that from March 9 to 11, 2015, the accounts received cash flow from  the apex bank to the tune of N18. 9 million and N1.8 million respectively

    “On Feb. 22, 2021, there was a cash flow of N43 million from CBN, on July 21, 2022, there was a cash flow of N37.3 million, on Oct. 21, 2022, there was a credit flow of N44.6 million, on May 10, 2023, there was a cash flow of N93.1 million from CBN, among others,” she said.

    The witness further said that she usually communicate with Emefiele’s wife through email, phone calls and Whatsapp on transactions that were to be carried out on the accounts before processing them.

    She said the bundles of documents which entailed the various transactions were printed from her office desktop computer.

    “The documents were sent to my email and when investigation started, I was requested to print all the documents to the law enforcement which I did.

    “I printed from the office desk top and took them to compliance officer.

    “I also have certificate confirming that these documents were printed from Zenith Bank,” Ogbonnaya said.

    The prosecution sought to tender the bundles of documents which entailed the various transactions that took place between the witness and Emefiele’s wife.

    Emefiele’s Counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and the second defence counsel, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi (SAN), did not object the admissibility of the documents.

    The court, thereafter, admitted into evidence the certificate of identification, bundle of printed documents, following no objections from the defence.

    The witness, thereafter, spoke into the documents and briefly explained the inflow and outflow of fund, purportedly sent from the CBN through Zenith Bank to Emefiele’s wife.

    The prosecution also sought the indulgence of the court for the witness to write down the number in which she used to have conversations with Mrs Emefiele on an A4 paper which was admitted into evidence.

    The witness, however, said that she could not remember some digits of the number by heart but she could recall it through her mobile phone.

    The two defence counsel, however, objected to the witness, recalling the number through her phone.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Rahman Oshodi had earlier in the proceeding granted  the application filed by the second defence counsel to recall the first prosecution witness, Monday Osazuwa.

    EFCC had on April 8 arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage.

    Also, his co-defendant Henry Omoile-Isioma, was arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

    The judge, however, adjourned the case until July 10 for continuation of trial.

  • Emefiele: Court admits bundles of documents in evidence

    Emefiele: Court admits bundles of documents in evidence

    The trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, continued on Thursday with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission tendering bundles of documents to nail him.

    Emefiele is standing trial over abuse of office and alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud while in office.

    The documents were tendered through the third prosecution witness, a Compliance Officer with the Zenith Bank, Mr Clement Ngolu, by the EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN).

    The documents were admitted into evidence following a no-objection submission from the first defence counsel, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), and the second  defence counsel, Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN)

    Justice Rahman Oshodi admitted the original copies of Zenith Bank account opening package, statement of account of Limelight Multidimensional Services Ltd., sent to the EFCC in evidence.

    “I have read the documents dated March 2024, and I admit the original certified copy of the bundles of documents which include account opening package, statement of accounts in evidence and are marked as Exhibit A,” Oshodi said.

    Ngolu, in his evidence, said his department responded to regulators and law enforcement agencies in order to ensure that the bank activities were in line with banking policies and regulations.

    He added that his department worked with agencies such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

    The witness said that his department, in 2014, got a request from the EFCC to furnish them with statements of accounts of Limelight and two other accounts.

    “The  documents we sent to the EFCC were duly signed by the staff of the bank.

    “The process of generating the statement was through our computer system which was in good condition.

    “The documents were printed out from the company’s computer which was working well and the documents were in the bank’s custody,” the witness said.

    The defence, however, said they had no question for the witness.

    Also, a former Director of Information Technology of CBN, Mr John Ayoh, in the continuation of his cross-examination, said he had a confrontation with Emefiele because he asked him to do something wrong.

    The witness, who further confirmed that he was sidelined by the  embattled governor, added that his being sidelined made him not to have any relationship with him.

    “I was not happy being unpopular with the former CBN governor, but on a number of occasions, I signed contract letters to vendors.

    “While I was a director with the CBN, my loyalty was to the bank and the Nigerian nation and my relationship with Emefiele was only formal and based on instructions.

    “The governor and the four deputy governors of the bank, alongside the directors, make up the management of the CBN,” he said.

    The fourth witness, a contractor, in his evidence, testified before  the court how he was allegedly pressurised by the apex bank management to pay $600,000 for the contract which he had executed.

    Ayoh had, on April 29, narrated before the court how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for Emefiele.

    The EFCC had, on April 8, arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage.

    Also, his co-defendant was arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.

    The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    The judge adjourned the case until May 17, for continuation of trial.

  • EFCC files additional evidence against Emefiele

    EFCC files additional evidence against Emefiele

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court, on Friday, adjourned until May 9, for defence to study additional proof of evidence submitted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

    Emefiele was charged with $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.

    Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his short ruling, said he had considered the submissions of both the parties and was satisfied with the reasons given by the defence for adjournment.

    He said: “I have considered the conflicting submissions regarding whether I should adjourn for further continuation of trial or not.

    “I am satisfied with the reasons given by the defence. For the adjournment sought, I grant it.
    “I adjourn until May 9 for continuation of trial.”

    Earlier, Mr Olalekan Ojo (SAN), counsel for the ex- CBN governor, had informed the court that the prosecution had filed an additional proof of evidence and he needed enough time to go through it.
    Ojo argued that Emefiele had not seen the document and that justice rushed was justice crushed.

    “I  am constrained at this point  to ask  your lordship to do justice, the proof must  be served early enough but I was being served this morning.

    “Defence may find anything useful in the additional proof of evidence to cross-examine the witness in the box.

    “I humbly urge the court to adjourn this matter so that I can thoroughly go through it and study it,” he said.

    The second defence counsel, Mr Adeyinka Kotoye (SAN), also aligned himself with the submission of the first defence counsel.

    Kotoye argued that it was only in this part of the world that prosecution would be conducting investigation, while a case was already ongoing in court.

    He, therefore, urged the court to adjourn the case in the interest of justice and adequate opportunity to study the additional proof of evidence.

    “I urge  your lordship  not to entertain this trial by ambush and put a stop to it. I also apply your lordship mandate  the prosecution to supply us all relevant materials.

    “Therefore, on the spirit of fairness, I urge your lordship to adjourn the case,” Kotoye  said.

    The EFCC Counsel, led by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had informed the court that the second prosecution witness was in court for the continuation of cross-examination and that he had served the defence the statement of one Mr John Adetola, as an additional proof of evidence.

    Oyedepo, while opposing the submissions of the defence counsel, had prayed the court for the continuation of the cross-examination of the second prosecution witness.

    He said  it was unfair for a Senior Advocate of Nigeria whom he held in high esteem to describe his team and its activities as prosecutorial unfairness.

    According to him, Adetola was a fifth prosecution witness in the proof of evidence.

    Oyedepo said Adetola’s statement  was contained in the Volume Two of what  was served on defence on April 4.

    He said: “In  preparation  for his testimony  that will  be coming  up not today, not even on May  9,  the prosecution, rather than  wait for defence  to formally place a demand on us on what is in the device, diligence prosecution made me make  the device available to defence.

    “My lord, how does that amount to prosecutorial unfairness? I plead with defence not to delay this case unnecessarily as we have a witness in the box  who had given evidence and he is being cross-examined by the first  defence counsel.

    “If defence is angry that I served them the proof of evidence today, we can withdraw it and serve the same on a later day.”

    The prosecution told the court that society was interested and watching the proceeding of the case.

    “The society is interested, they are watching us, will this matter be adjourned based on the evidence of another  man who is not the witness in the box?

    “We are not rushing or crushing justice, rather, we are aiding the oil of justice to rise steadily.

    “Expeditious determination of case is of utmost importance and so we urge your lordship to allow the cross-examination,” Oyedepo said.

    A former Director of Information Technology of the apex bank, Mr John Ayoh, had on April 29 narrated how he allegedly collected $600,000 for contract gratification for Emefiele.

    The EFCC had on April 8 arraigned Emefiele on 23 counts bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratifications, corrupt demand, receiving property fraudulently obtained and conferring corrupt advantage.

    Also, his co-defendant was arraigned on three counts bordering on acceptance of gift by agents.

  • Court fixes date to arraign Godwin Emefiele on fresh charges

    Court fixes date to arraign Godwin Emefiele on fresh charges

    The Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will on May 15 arraign the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele in a Federal Capital Territory court on three counts amended charge.

    In the fresh charge filed against him, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The anti-graft agency also accused Emefiele of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

    The arraignment was earlier slated before justice Maryann Anenih.

    However, all the parties were not present in  court when the matter with case number: CR/264/2024 was called.

    The court said that the prosecution sent a letter seeking for adjournment because Emefiele was standing trial in another court in  Lagos.

    The judge therefore adjourned until May 15 for the arraignment.

    Emefiele is also standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu of FCT high court on an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

    Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) high court also on Jan. 8 awarded N100 million damages to suspended former governor of the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) against the federal government and Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for violations of his right.

    Adeniyi further restrained the federal government and it’s agents from arresting Emefiele unless an order was obtained through a competent court.

    The judge held that the respondents need not incarcerate the applicant in other to carry out investigation for a long period as against the provisions of the law.

    “No material placed before the court to show that the release of the applicant will in any way interfere with the investigation of allegations preferred against him.

    The embattled Emefiele had dragged the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Executive Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Commission before the court to enforce his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing and freedom of movement.

    Emefiele sought a declaration of the court that his continued detention by the agency of the first and second respondents since June 10, 2023 and subsequent transfer to the custody of the third and fourth respondents on October 26, 2023 without being arraigned in court is unlawful.

    He said the respondents in deviance of several valid subsisting court orders for his release amounts to a grave violation of his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

  • JUST IN: Emefiele in Court for arraignment

    JUST IN: Emefiele in Court for arraignment

    Ex-Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele has arrived in court for his arraignment.

    He is to be arraigned at the Ikeja High Court over alleged abuse of office and allocation of billions of dollars.

    Details later

     

  • Alleged procurement fraud: Emefiele didn’t confer corrupt advantage on self – witness

    Alleged procurement fraud: Emefiele didn’t confer corrupt advantage on self – witness

    Mr Michael Agboro,  7th prosecution witness( PW7)  in the trial of suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, has admitted before an FCT High  Court, Maitama that Emefiele did not confer unfair and corrupt advantage on self.

    Emefiele is standing trial on an alleged 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

    Among the allegations was that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

    Besides he was also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

    Emefiele in the amended charge was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023 knowingly obtain, by false pretence, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive.”

    At the resumed proceedings, on Monday,  Agboro, an investigator with the Independent, Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) testified.

    Led in evidence, by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, he tendered several documents including company registration documents and award as well as payments for contract relating to the two forms.

    In his evidence the investigator claimed that Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantage in the award of contracts to April 1616 and Archtekon.

    He added  that documents his team, comprising of persons drawn from the ICPC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and the Department of State Service (DSS), showed that while a Director of April 1616, Mrs Saadatu Yaro, is a Public Officer, with the CBN, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo are directors in Architekon.

    However, during cross examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, the witness when asked whether the defendant conferred unfair and corrupt advantage on himself, answered that, “he conferred on Saadatu Ramalan Yaro, who is a Public Officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.

    He said, “We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates when asked why others mentioned in the transaction were not charged.

    Besides, the witness admitted that no where in their findings did they discovered that Emefiele was a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 limited or Architekon Nigeria limited.

    He also admitted that there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies in the course of performing his duties at the CBN.

    Also when asked if in the course of their investigation they interviewed people in the CBN to determine whether the two firms executed the jobs they were contracted to do, the witness said “Yes”.

    However, when asked if the team in their final report stated this fact, the witness said he could not recall if they did.

    Agboro had earlier admitted that his team did a report on their investigation which was forwarded to the Director-General, DSS, adding that he did not come to the court with it.

    When asked if he was conversant with the procedure of award of contracts in the CBN, the witness who replied in affirmation.

    He, however, told the court that “I cannot remember” whether the defendant was part of the procurement and tender committees that vetted, reviewed and recommended April 1616 and Architekon for the various projects they handled.

    He said ”I don’t know when asked if he is aware that all the contracts that formed the basis of this charge passed through the vetting committee ?

    “In the course of your investigation did you see any document which showed that the defendant either by phone call, email or official communication of CBN made representation that April 1616 and Architekon should be awarded these contracts? his response was ‘No! ‘

    When asked when it relates to the award of contract to these two companies, if he knew all these processes laid down by the CBN were followed? He said he Yes.

    Meanwhile, the witness admitted that April 1616 went through a bidding process with other companies and won the various contracts awarded to it.

    Agboro, further confirmed that he did not visit the contract sites to verify if the jobs awarded to the firms were done.

    When asked, “Since you did not visit, you will not know if the contract was carried out or not? He answered ‘Yes.’

    Asked if he thought it was wrong for payments to be made to the contractors after jobs had been completed, the  witness confirmed that it was not inappropriate to make such payments.

    Upon further cross examination regarding the number of people that treats a document for a final award of contracts, the witness confirmed that there are up to 10 persons that minuted on a contract document; whereas only the defendant, out of 10 that is standing trial.

    When asked that he would  agree that of the 10 persons, it is only the defendant that is standing trial, he said ‘yes.’

    On the issue of Emefiele’s wife being a Director of Architekon, the witness who claimed that besides documents obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Emefiele himself during an interview confirmed that Margaret Omoyile is his wife.

    He, however , said he could not recall if Emefiele told him during the same interview that his wife was not a Director of Architekon.

    Agboro in addition, admitted that his team did not interview Emefiele’s wife nor his brother-in-law regarding their membership of Architekon because he believed the defendant told them during the interview with him.

    Barrka asked the witness that during the interview whether Emefiele did not say   that Margaret is his wife but, that she is not a Director in the company?

    The witness said he cannot remember, unless he refreshes his memory.

    Meanwhile, Justice Hamza Muazu has adjourned until April 25 , for further cross examination of PW7.

     

  • How CBN gave contracts to Emefiele’s wife and relative – EFCC

    How CBN gave contracts to Emefiele’s wife and relative – EFCC

    A Seventh Prosecution Witness, PW7, in the trial of a former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on Monday, March 11, 2024 told Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, how Emefiele allegedly signed and approved award and payments of contracts to April 1616 Investment Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited, companies that allegedly belong to Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, his wife, Margaret Emefiele and his in-law respectively.

    The witness, Agboro Michael, an investigator with the ICPC, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo,SAN, was part of the investigation team that comprised the EFCC, ICPC, CCB, DSS and the Nigerian Police. He testified on the count-charge of abuse of office and conferring  an unfair advantage to a public officer and relatives, preferred against Emefiele.

    “My Lord,  these companies were awarded about 45 contracts to supply Toyota Vehicles. We were worried as investigators as to how a particular company would get bids concurrently to supply vehicles. We did our investigation, and discovered that the company was not even accredited by Toyota.

    “In the companies my Lord, one has Sa’adatu’s husband and siblings as directors, and the other one has Sa’adatu as the director of the company while she is still a civil servant.

    “Document ‘F1’ shows the signature and approval of the defendant to pay the sum of N854, 700,000 (Eight Hundred Fifty-Four Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira)  His signature was number three on the document”,  he said.  Testifying further, Michael said in ‘F3’, the defendant approved 1, 85,700,000 (One Billion, Eighty-five million, Seven Hundred thousand) for the supply of 47 units of Toyota Hilux.

    While ‘F4’ was the defendants approval to purchase for the bank an armoured Toyota Avalon car at the cost of N99,900,000 (Ninety-Nine Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira), and ‘F5’ was the approval to procure two units of Toyota Hilux for the bank, and all were bought from April 1616 Investment limited.

    Speaking on the findings of the investigative team on exhibit P26, page 86 of 107 on November 6, 2021. Michael said; “It is a credit into the account from the CBN to the tune of N41, 943, 400, 34 (Forty-one Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-three Thousand, Four hundred and Thirty four kobo).

    “Page 87 was also a credit in April 2016 from the CBN, N304, 853, 50 (Three Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand naira, Fifty kobo).

    “26 January, 2021, April 1616 Investment Nigeria limited also received N304, 853, 720, 55 (Three Hundred and Four Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Three Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty Naira Fifty-Five kobo) from the CBN.

    “On the 10th of February, 2021, the CBN paid N201, 23, 323, 31 (Two Hundred and One Million, Twenty-Three Thousand, Three Hundred and Twenty-Three Naira, Thirty-One kobo).

    The approval of payment of March 24, 2021 was  N304,843,720,85, April 27, 2021 was 60,976,744,17 (Sixty Million, Nine hundred and Seventy Six thousand, Seven hundred and forty-four naira, Seventeen kobo) May 31, 2021 was a payment of 60,976,744,17 (Sixty Million, Nine hundred and Seventy Six thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty-four Naira, Seventeen kobo), and February 21, 2021 was a payment of N50,547,508,30 (Fifty Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred and Eight Naira Thirty kobo) were equally approved by the defendant.

    The witness further told the court that the team recorded the defendant’s statement under caution and video recorded in a conducive environment.

    Testifying further, the witness said; “In 2019, again,  we discovered the defendant also used his office and position to confer a corrupt advantage to one of the staff of CBN, Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero to supply  one unit of Toyota Land Cruiser V8 at the cost of N73, 800,000 (Seventy-Three Million, Eight Hundred Thousand to her company April 1616 Investment Nigeria limited where she is a director, and equally a director in the CBN.

    “Again my Lord, the defendant also approved the payment of renovation of the CBN Governors’ residence at No 2. Global road, Ikoyi Lagos to a company named; Architekon Nigeria Limited where his wife and brother-in-law are both directors.

    “Sometime in 2020, the defendant used his position as CBN Governor to confer on his wife and brother in-law corrupt advantage by awarding their company landscaping of the CBN governor’s residence in the sum of N39,46,000 (Thirty-Nine Million, Forty Six Thousand Naira”,he said.

    Continuing, Michael said a contract to procure furniture items was also awarded to his brother in-law in the sum of 97,000,000 (  Ninety Seven Million Naira), and again,  a contract to procure a power line at the same CBN Governor’s residence in the sum of N68,568,740 (Sixty-Eight Million, Five Hundred and Sixty-Eight Thousand, Seven Hundred and Forty naira).

    While cross examining the witness, counsel to the defendant,  Matthew Burkaa SAN queried the witness  that though there are many signatories in the memo only his client was on trial. In response, the witness told him that the defendant was on trial because he was the approving authority, while others only minuted on the documents to justify the process, and didn’t  have the power to make such payments and approvals.

    Burkaa also wanted to tender the defendant’s  statement at the Nigerian Police force before the court,  but Oyedepo objected, stating it was a public document and needed to be certified before it can be tendered as an exhibit.  Burkaa then withdrew the document and promised to provide the true certified copy at the next adjourned date.

    Justice Muazu thereafter adjourned the matter till 25 and 26 April, 2024 for continuation of trial.