By Milcah Tanimu

Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has entered a plea of “Not Guilty” to a 20-count amended charge, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence. The charges, filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), supplement a previous six-count charge related to alleged breach of procurement procedure.

The Federal Government accuses Emefiele of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) to unlawfully obtain $6.2 million. The charge alleges that on February 8, 2023, Emefiele collaborated with one Odoh Eric Ocheme to obtain the funds from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the SGF. The EFCC contends that Emefiele made false claims, violating the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act.

Additionally, Emefiele is accused of forging a document on January 26, 2023, titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions,” allegedly originating from the SGF. The former CBN chief is also charged with conferring corrupt advantage on his wife and brother-in-law by awarding a contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele awarded the renovation contract to a company, Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, in which his wife and brother-in-law are directors and majority shareholders, violating Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Emefiele, during his plea at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, maintained his innocence. The case has been adjourned until February 12th and 13th, with Justice Muazu ruling that Emefiele will continue to enjoy the bail granted to him earlier. Emefiele had previously pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge in November and was granted bail in the sum of N300 million.