More trouble for Emefiele as Nigerian Govt amends fraud charges

More trouble appears to be in the offing for former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele as the Federal Government has again amended the charges filed against him.

The charges, bordering on forgery, conferring of corrupt advantages and criminal breach of trust, have been increased from six to 20.

The Federal Government had initially filed 19 charges bordering on N6.9 billion procurement fraud against Emefiele but later pruned it down to six charges involving misappropriation of N1.2 billion, which he is currently standing trial on.

In the amended charge, Emefiele was accused of obtaining the sum of $6.2 million by pretence by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF.

The government said the offence was contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

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The charge reads, “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 State Dollar ($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.”

He was also accused of conniving with one Eric Ocheme who has been at large to commit forgery.

The government said the offence was contrary to Section 96 (1) and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.