It’s not yet Uhuru for Emefiele as EFCC files 20 fresh amended charges against ex-CBN boss

It’s not yet Uhuru for the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, who was recently freed from jail, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday filed an amended 20-count charge against the embattled top banker in a Federal Capital Territory High Court.

The EFCC earlier took Mr Emefiele to court on six counts on alleged breach of procurement procedure in the award of the contract to April1616 Investment Limited.

The anti-graft agency in August 2023 charged Mr Emefiele and Sa’adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Limited with breach of the Procurement Act in respect of the purchase of some vehicles.

EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on November 28 drew the attention of the court to an amended charge dated November 8, 2023.

In that charge Mr Emefiele was the sole defendant and the charges reduced from 20 to six, to which Mr Emefiele pleaded not guilty.

Justice Hamza Muazu on November 22, 2023, granted him bail in the sum of N300 million.

Mr Muazu in addition, ordered for two sureties in the like sum of the N300 million who must have property in Maitama district of Abuja.

The sureties must in addition present the title documents and certificates of occupancy to the court for verification.

The judge further added that Mr Emefiele should submit to the registrar of the court his travelling documents and must be within Abuja within the period of his trial.

However, when the case came up Thursday, Mr Oyedepo told the court that they filed another amended charges of 20 counts against Mr Emefiele.

He said they filed the defendant on Wednesday.

Responding, the defendant‘s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, told the court that he needed time to study the new charge sheet.

Subsequently, Justice Muazu adjourned the case until Friday for re-arraignment.

NAN