The scheduled arraignment of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was stalled due to the absence of his co-defendant, Mrs. Sa’adatu Yaro. The duo, along with a company named April 1616 Investment Limited, were set to be arraigned on a fresh 20-count charge related to alleged breaches of procurement laws.
The arraignment, which was supposed to take place before Justice Hamza Muazu, had to be adjourned to August 23 due to the reported illness of Mrs. Yaro, leading to her absence in court.
The Federal Government has brought forth a new charge accusing the suspended CBN governor of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro through the award of contracts to April 1616 Investment Limited, totaling N99.9 million for the supply of cars. These transactions allegedly took place between 2018 and 2020 and are said to contravene Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, which carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison.
The charges specify that Emefiele and Yaro are alleged to have purchased around 100 luxury vehicles and armored buses worth approximately N6.9 billion. The charges highlight the alleged misuse of their positions for personal gain, resulting in a breach of the law.
The suspension of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor by President Bola Tinubu, shortly after assuming office, was reportedly due to alleged infractions and breach of trust. Emefiele’s arrest followed shortly thereafter, leading to his arraignment on a two-count charge of alleged unlawful possession of firearms. However, ongoing legal proceedings and a series of charges have kept him in custody.
Despite a court order for Emefiele’s release, the Directorate of State Services (DSS) has continued to hold him on the basis of additional charges and claims of financial and terrorism-related crimes.
The delayed arraignment underscores the complexity of the legal proceedings and the ongoing investigation into the allegations against Emefiele and his co-defendant.
