FCT High Court adjourns Emefiele’s arraignment in N6.9bn Procurement Fraud

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has adjourned till August 23, the 6.9 billion naira procurement fraud case leveled against the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case due to the absence of the first and second defendants, although Emefiele was himself present in court.

Emefiele is being arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.

The embattled apex bank chief, who has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9, 2023, was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd.

The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos will today rule on an application by the Federal Government seeking to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearm charge” it filed against Emefiele.