By Akinsuroju Olubunmi
Fresh charges filed against Emefiele by EFCC
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has lodged new allegations against Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. In the latest charge filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the EFCC accuses Emefiele of authorizing the printing of N684.5 million using N18.9 billion. The charges stem from Emefiele’s implementation of the naira swap policy during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The agency alleges that Emefiele unlawfully approved the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation. Emefiele is set to face a four-count charge, including disobeying the law, illegal printing of money, and abuse of office.
The EFCC’s document, dated April 2, 2024, and marked Suit No: CR/264/2024, was filed by the agency’s top prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Emefiele is accused of flouting the Central Bank of Nigeria Act by approving the printing of various denominations of currency without the proper recommendations and approvals. These actions, according to the charges, caused harm to the public and violated constitutional provisions.
Emefiele, who was arraigned in November 2023 on six counts of procurement fraud, is also accused of abusing his office by approving contracts for vehicle acquisitions totaling N1.2 billion from 2018 to 2020. Additionally, on April 8, 2024, the EFCC arraigned Emefiele alongside Henry Omoile for an alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.
Emefiele, EFCC, Fresh charges