Former CBN Governor Emefiele Pleads Not Guilty To Amended 20-Count Charges By FG

Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has pleaded not guilty to the amended criminal charge filed against him by the federal government.

On Thursday, the federal government amended the criminal charge it filed against the former CBN governor.

The charge was previously six counts but was increased to 20 counts.

The amended charge borders on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Subsequently, the presiding judge adjourned the trial to February 12 and 13.

Earlier on Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court Justice, Hamza Muazu granted the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel out of the FCT.

The court however, said that Emefiele must remain in the country.

His bail terms were previously restricted to the FCT.

The court had in November granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum.

His lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mathew Burkaa said that Emefiele was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre after his lawyers perfected his bail conditions.

Emefiele was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on procurement fraud and using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff of the CBN, by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

However, the fraud charge which was formerly six counts, has now been increased to 20 counts.

While he was remanded in Kuje, Emefiele was mandated to deposit all his travel documents with the registrar of the court and must remain within the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The trial over his alleged procurement of vehicles has already begun before Justice Hamza Muazu.

Chioma Kalu

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