Former Nigerian central bank governor Godwin Emefiele accused of $6.2m fraud
Emefiele is the most high-profile official to face corruption charges under the administration of President Bola Tinubu
19 January 2024 - 17:47
byCamillus Eboh
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Abuja — Nigeria’s former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, was charged with fraud on Friday, which including obtaining $6.2m in bank funds under false pretences — part of 20 charges levelled against him by prosecutors.
Emefiele entered a not guilty plea.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria chief is the most high-profile official to face corruption charges under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who came to power in 2023 following a disputed election.
A court official read out the 20 charges against Emefiele, comprising 14 new ones and six that he had already faced.
His trial will begin in February.
Prosecutors said Emefiele “knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6.2m by falsely representing the secretary to the government of the federation through a letter … and requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a logistic advance” for foreign election observer missions.
He was also accused of twice awarding contracts to renovate the bank’s official residence in Lagos to a company owned by his wife and brother-in-law, a case of criminal breach of trust.
Emefiele was suspended by Tinubu last June, which led to his arrest by state security officials. He resigned in August, paving the way for the appointment of new central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso in September.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Former Nigerian central bank governor Godwin Emefiele accused of $6.2m fraud
Emefiele is the most high-profile official to face corruption charges under the administration of President Bola Tinubu
Abuja — Nigeria’s former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, was charged with fraud on Friday, which including obtaining $6.2m in bank funds under false pretences — part of 20 charges levelled against him by prosecutors.
Emefiele entered a not guilty plea.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria chief is the most high-profile official to face corruption charges under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who came to power in 2023 following a disputed election.
A court official read out the 20 charges against Emefiele, comprising 14 new ones and six that he had already faced.
His trial will begin in February.
Prosecutors said Emefiele “knowingly obtained by false pretence the sum of $6.2m by falsely representing the secretary to the government of the federation through a letter … and requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a logistic advance” for foreign election observer missions.
He was also accused of twice awarding contracts to renovate the bank’s official residence in Lagos to a company owned by his wife and brother-in-law, a case of criminal breach of trust.
Emefiele was suspended by Tinubu last June, which led to his arrest by state security officials. He resigned in August, paving the way for the appointment of new central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso in September.
Reuters
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