*Case adjourned till August 23
The re-arraignment of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank Governor, on a new 20-count charge related to a breach of the Procurement Act, was brought to a standstill on Thursday due to the non-appearance of the second defendant, Sa’adatu Yaro. The trial, which was scheduled to take place at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, was postponed to a later date.
Upon the commencement of the proceedings, Emefiele appeared in court, but the Director of Public Procurement (DPP), Abubakar Mohammed, representing the government, informed the court that the second defendant was not present. Mohammed explained that Sa’adatu Yaro, the 2nd defendant, had fallen ill that morning and was unable to attend the court session. He consequently requested an adjournment from the court.
Justice Hamza Muazu, presiding over the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, granted the adjournment, rescheduling the arraignment to August 23.
It is worth noting that just the previous day, the federal government withdrew the charges involving illegal firearm possession that had been leveled against Emefiele at the Federal High Court in Lagos. However, the government subsequently filed a fresh 20-count charge against him and his associates, accusing them of being involved in a N6.9 billion procurement fraud. The case was filed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Emefiele is facing these charges alongside Sa’adatu Yaro, a female employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and her company, April1616 Investment Limited. The charges include allegations of procurement fraud, conspiracy, and conferring corrupt advantages upon associates.
The prosecution contends that Emefiele, the former CBN Governor, granted corrupt advantages to Yaro, who is a director at April 1616 Investment Ltd. These actions are believed to be in violation of section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. If found guilty, Emefiele could face a prison sentence of up to five years without the option of a fine.
The charges, signed by officials including the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Abubakar, and Deputy Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs. N Jones-Nebo, detail accusations that the accused individuals collectively acquired a fleet of over 98 luxury vehicles and armored buses, valued at approximately N6.9 billion, between 2018 and 2020. The purchases included 84 Toyota Hilux vehicles, 10 armored Mercedes Benz buses, three Toyota Landcruisers, and one Toyota Avalon car.
Emefiele is specifically accused of using his position as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer corrupt advantages upon Sa’adatu Yaro, awarding contracts to her company. The charges highlight various instances of this alleged misconduct involving the procurement of vehicles and other items.
The trial proceedings have now been temporarily halted due to the illness of the second defendant, Sa’adatu Yaro, and are set to resume on August 23, when Emefiele and his co-defendants will face the fresh charges in court.
