JUST IN: #EFCC Files Fresh 26-Count Charge Against Ex-CBN Governor Emefiele—-The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, will be arraigned at the Ikeja State High Court in Lagos on Monday, April 8, 2024. Emefiele, along with his co-defendant Henry Isioma Omole, faces a 26-count charge of alleged abuse of office over the allocation of billions of United States dollars.
The charges, filed by Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) and marked ID/23787c/2024, accuse Emefiele of abusing his authority between 2022 and 2023 in Lagos. The EFCC alleges that Emefiele directed the allocation of foreign exchange totaling $2,136,391,737.33 without proper bidding, which is deemed prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.
Furthermore, Emefiele is accused of similar acts between 2020 and 2021, totaling $291,945,785.59, and in 2021, involving a special allocation of foreign exchange amounting to $1,769,254,793.16. His co-defendant, Omole, is alleged to have accepted $110,000 as gifts from Raja Punjab through Monday Osazuwa, purportedly as a reward for Emefiele’s actions.
The charges specify violations of Section 73 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and are part of a broader investigation into alleged financial misconduct during Emefiele’s tenure as CBN Governor.
The arraignment before Justice Rahman Oshodi marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings, highlighting the EFCC’s determination to hold individuals accountable for alleged financial irregularities. Emefiele’s legal team is expected to vigorously contest the charges as the case unfolds in court.
