FG Reduces Charges Against Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

The Federal Government has revised the criminal charges against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Initially facing a 20-count charge related to procurement fraud in August, the amended charge now comprises six counts, with Emefiele as the sole defendant.

While the charges still revolve around procurement fraud, the alleged value has been reduced from N6.9 billion to N1.2 billion.

The arraignment of the former CBN boss has faced delays, with the latest being attributed to the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates.

The amended charge accuses Emefiele of leveraging his position to provide a corrupt advantage to Sa’adatu Yaro, a female CBN employee, by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles totaling N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

The vehicles include 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles (N854.7 million), one Toyota Avalon (N99.9 million), one Toyota Landcruiser V8 (N73.8 million), and two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification vehicles (N44,200,000).

Additionally, Emefiele allegedly awarded Yaro a contract for the procurement of two Toyota Landcruiser VXR V8 vehicles worth N138 million.

KanyiDaily recalls that Godwin Emefiele had spent 151 days in detention before being granted bail and released on November 8, 2023.