EFCC Files Fresh 26-Count Charge against Emefiele

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office & corruption against Godwin Emefiele, immediate former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Godwin Emefiele, former Central Bank Governor,

This is coming as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu officially closed Jim Obazee’s investigation into operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria under Emefiele.

According to information obtained by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek, Emefiele will be arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on Monday, April 8 on counts bordering on accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, receipt of property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000.

The charge sheet which was filed on April 3rd by the EFCC Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), reads, “that you, GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE between 2022 and 2023, in Lagos, directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 (Two Billion, One Hundred and thirty-six million, three hundred and ninety-one thousand, seven hundred and thirty-seven Dollars, thirty-three cents) without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”

Only yesterday, President Tinubu officially closed Obazee’s investigation into operations of the CBN.

Tinubu appointed Obazee as a special investigator to probe the CBN and other related entities.

His appointment was contained in a letter dated July 28, 2023.

Tinubu, on Friday, expressed gratitude to Obazee, who is also a former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), for serving as the Special Investigator of the CBN and other associated institutions after his appointment on July 28, 2023.

The President appreciated Obazee’s commitment and expertise in managing the intricacies of this vital national task.

After completing the assignment and submitting a final detailed report, and wrapping up all equipment used within the project that ended on March 31, 2024, the investigation is officially closed.

All relevant law enforcement and regulatory agencies are currently pursuing further action.