[Just In] N6.9 Billion Fraud: Emefiele’s arraignment halted as FG fail to appear in Court

Due to the absence of the first and second defendants, who are allegedly ill, the arraignment of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja over an alleged N6.9 billion procurement fraud has been adjourned.

However, Emefiele appeared in court today (Thursday).

The matter was adjourned to August 23, 2023, by the presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, in response to a request for delay.

Emefiele will be charged with 20 counts of procurement fraud, conspiracy, and providing corrupt benefits to his accomplices together with a female CBN employee named Sa’adatu Yaro and her business, April1616 Investment Limited.

The troubled head of the top bank, who has been detained since he was removed from office on June 9, 2023, was charged with giving Yaro, a director of April 1616 Investment Ltd., corrupt favors.

The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000’s Section 19 is violated by the crime.

In the meantime, a Federal High Court in Lagos set today (Thursday) for its decision on a request by the Federal Government to have the “illegal possession of firearm charge” it brought against Emefiele withdrawn.