Godwin Emefiele: FG amends criminal charges on ex-CBN governor

The plot thickens for former Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele as more legal troubles emerge over fraud allegations.

Godwin Emefiele, is facing increased legal troubles as the Federal Government has amended the charges filed against him.

Initially centered around forgery, conferring of corrupt advantages, and criminal breach of trust, the charges have surged from six to a total of 20.

Originally, the Federal Government had lodged 19 charges related to a N6.9 billion procurement fraud against Emefiele. However, this number was later reduced to six charges, involving the misappropriation of N1.2 billion, for which he is presently undergoing trial.

The amended charges now accuse Emefiele of obtaining $6.2 million through pretense, falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

The government contends that this act is in violation of Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006, with corresponding punishment under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

The charge specifies,

“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, male, adult, and Odoh, Eric Ocheme (Still at large) on or about the 8th day of February 2023 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly obtained by false pretence, the sum of Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand United States Dollars ($6,230,000.00) by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 requested the Central Bank of Nigeria to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000.00 ‘in line with Mr. President’s directive,’ which representation you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence.”

Furthermore, Emefiele is accused of collaborating with Eric Ocheme, who remains at large, to commit forgery.

The government alleges that this offense is in violation of Section 96(1) and is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

The former CBN Governor now faces an expanded array of legal challenges, with the amended charges significantly increasing the complexity of the case against him.