News

CBN’S Incomplete Exhibits Stalls Emefiele’s Trial Over Alleged $6m Procurement Fraud

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

Editor

The inability of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to ferry complete exhibits to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court on Monday stalled the trial of the former governor of the bank, Godwin Emefiele, over alleged $6 million procurement fraud.

The exhibits were to be tendered against Emefiele by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to establish the corruption charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

However, midway into Monday’s proceedings, it was discovered that the documents brought to court by CBN were incomplete.

The documents were in relation to the disbursement of $6,230,000, said to be for international election observers, and falsely obtained by Emefiele.

At the resumed trial, lead counsel to EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had called the first prosecution witness, (PW 1) Onyeka Ogbu, a Deputy Director in CBN Branch Operations.

The witness told the court how, on January 8, 2023, a request for payment of $6,230,000 was brought to his attention by the Banking Services Department.

He explained that the duty of his department is to make payment, but does not have power to approve.

The witness said that having gone through the documents and being satisfied, he minuted on it, sent it for processing and disbursement which was complied with.

The documents relating to request for the money were all identified but two were found missing leading to the prosecution counsel asking for a stand down to enable him get the missing pages.

However, lead counsel to Emefiele, Mr Mathew Burkaa, SAN, opposed the request for stand down of the trial and opted for an adjournment.

He said adjournment was better to allow EFCC get all the certified true copies and also for the witness to be cross examined.

After listening to their submissions, Justice Muazu adjourned until February 13 for continuation of trial.

It will be recalled that EFCC arraigned Emefiele in court on amended 20- count charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others.

The former CBN governor however pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to him.

Following his plea and the request of his counsel for him to remain on his existing bail condition, Justice Hamza Muazu granted the request.

In some of the amended charges EFCC alleged that Emefiele, in January. 2023, forged a document titled: ‘RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS’, dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.

The EFCC said Emefiele made the claim despite knowing that it was false “and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.

According to the amended charge marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele, on February 8, 2023, connived with one Odoh Ocheme, who is now on the run, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming that it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201″.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the contract for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s Lodge, located at No. 2 Glover Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, was awarded to a company named Messrs. Architekon Nigeria Limited, “wherein the duo are directors and majority shareholders”.

The offences according to EFCC contravened sections 17, 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as sections 315, 363 and 364 of the Penal Code.

The anti-graft agency had in August, first charged Emefiele and one Mrs Sa’adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, purported to belong to Mrs Yaro, over alleged breach of the Procurement Act in respect of the purchase of some vehicles.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.