The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken new legal action against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The EFCC has filed a fresh charge at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, alleging Emefiele’s involvement in several financial infractions.
According to documents seen by PUNCH Online made available to GOVIMA , the EFCC accuses Emefiele of approving the printing of N684,590,000 at a questionable rate during the implementation of the naira swap policy under the previous administration.
The charge alleges that Emefiele unlawfully authorised the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
The charge, dated April 2, 2024, and marked Suit No: CR/264/2024, was filed by EFCC’s lead prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Emefiele is set to face a four-count charge before Justice Hamza Muazu, including allegations of disobeying the law, illegal printing of money, and abuse of office.
The specific counts in the charge include accusations of knowingly disobeying the direction of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of currency notes without proper authorization. Emefiele is further accused of breaching constitutional provisions by approving the withdrawal of funds from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without the requisite authorization.
Emefiele, who had previously faced charges related to procurement fraud, including the acquisition of vehicles totaling N1.2 billion, appeared before the court on November 18, 2023, in what has become one of the most significant corruption cases during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
This latest legal action adds to the ongoing legal woes of Emefiele, who, along with one Henry Omoile, was recently arraigned before Justice R.A. Oshodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on allegations of a $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion in fraud.
