BREAKING: Court Grants Emefiele Permission To Travel Out Of FCT
Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel out of the FCT. The court said Emefiele must, however, remain in the country. On his bail terms, he was restricted to the FCT. Emefiele, through his lawyer, Mathew Bukka, SAN, had requested a variation of the terms. The Counsel of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object. He told the court to ensure that Emefiele wrote an undertaking that he would remain in the country if his plea was granted. The charge against the former governor of the CBN was also amended to 20 from 6. The amended charges against Emefiele now includes criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit felony.
Emefiele Not Owner Of Firm That Awarded N1.2bn Contract – Witness
The first prosecution witness, Samsideen Romanus, in the trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, exonerated him of wrong doings in the Award of N1.2bn vehicle supply contracts by CBN under him. In his testimonial, an official of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) gave evidence on how the company, April1616 Investment Limited, was incorporated on August 1, 2016 and tendered several documents on how the company was floated. Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on six counts charge bordering on alleged breach of procurement procedure in the award of the contract to April1616 Investment Limited. According to the witness, the shareholders of the Company are Aminu Idris Yaro, Maryam Aliyu Abdullahi and Saadatu Ramalan Yaro as joint owners of the entity. Led in evidence by the counsel to the Anti-graft agency, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, the witness said that Emefiele’s name was not in anyway connected with the company. The second witness, Remigious Ugwu, a Compliance Officer with Zenith Bank told the on how various sums of money in millions of naira were paid by the CBN into the April1616 Investment Limited. Specifically, he told Justice Hamza Missing how on October 19, 2020, a sum of N39, 060, 465. another N421, 953, 488 on November 6, 2020 and and the third one N304, 883, 720 was paid on November 23, 2020 to the same company by CBN. Similarly, he said that N304, 883, 720 was paid on January 1, 2021 and another N304, 883, 720 paid the same company on March 23, 2021 by the Central Bank of Nigeria. He admitted that non of the payments has any link Emefiele’s name while also that he did not know the purpose of the payments. The witness who tendered various documents on behalf of the bank said that the former CBN governor was not a signatory to the bank account of the company. The third witness, Oluwole Owoeye, a Deputy Director, Banking Services with CBN and former Secretary to Major Contract Tendering Committee MCTC of the CBN said that his body was responsible for ensuring of compliance with Procurement Act told the court by CBN in the award of contracts. Owoeye however informed the court that his committee was not involved in the vetting of bidding for the award of contracts that led to prosecution of Emefiele. The witness explained that another committee handled the bidding because it was above the thresholds of his own Committee “My Lord, all I know is through our records is that contracts for award of vehicle supplies were awarded to April1616 but I cannot say whether the contracts were executed or paid for because my Committee played no role”. He admitted that MCTC and Procurement Department were fully functional while Emefiele held sway as CBN governor. Meanwhile, further trial has been adjourned till January 18 and 19 next year. The former CBN Chief was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on a staff of CBN, Mrs Saadat Ramallan Yaro through awards of vehicle supply contracts worth over N1.2 bn contrary to section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000. He had denied the six count criminal charges.
FG Denies N50bn Plea Bargain With Emefiele
The Federal Government on Sunday, distanced itself from a purported N50 billion planned non-prosecution plea bargain with the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The detained ex CBN Boss was reported to have entered into a plea bargain with government on condition of surrendering N50b to facilitate his early release from the custody of the Department of the State Service DSS and cancelling his trial on charges comprising money laundering, breach of Public Procurement Act and abuse of office. However, on Sunday, the Attorney General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi said neither his office or the Presidency have had anything of such nature with Emefiele. The position of the Federal Government was made public in a statement by the Director of Information in the Federal Ministry of Justice Mrs Modupe Ogundoro. The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, have agreed to a non-prosecution plea bargain arrangement. “The report further alleges that Mr. Godwin Emefiele and the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, have signed a non-prosecution plea bargain agreement and that the agreement is awaiting the signature of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice hereby states clearly that these reports are completely false. “It would be noted that the legal team representing Mr. Godwin Emefiele had expressed their intention in court at the last hearing to initiate a plea bargain arrangement. “However, no such arrangement has been reached with Mr. Godwin Emefiele or his representatives. “We wish to advise the media and members of the public to kindly disregard the said false report. “The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will continue to take all actions in the interest of the Nigerian public,” Fagbemi assured.
CBN Formally Confirms Emefiele’s Resignation As Cardoso Assumes Duty
The Acting Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Olayemi Michael Cardoso, on Friday, formally assumed duty pending his confirmation by the Senate. This is as the Central Bank officially confirmed the resignation of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, recently appointed Cardoso, and other Deputy Governors. This follows the resignation of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). A statement by the Director, Corporate Communications, Dr. Isa AbdulMumin which was made available to journalists on Friday in Abuja, added that the Deputy-Governors-Designate have also assumed duties in acting capacities, sequel to the formal resignation of former Deputy Governors, Mr. Folashodun Shonubi, Mrs. Aishah Ahmad, Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu, and Dr. Kingsley Obiora. Dr. Cardoso and his colleagues subscribed to the relevant oaths of office at a brief ceremony held at the Bank’s Head Office in Abuja, on Friday and have since settled down to the task of administering monetary and financial sector policies of the Federal Government. An Economic and Development Policy Advisor, Financial Sector Leader, former Chairman Citi Nigeria and Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget in Lagos, Cardoso brings over three decades of managerial experience on board. He is an alumnus of Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom, where he studied managerial and administrative studies. He also holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, United States of America. It would be recalled that Dr. Cardoso and his colleagues were appointed by President Bola Tinubu to their respective positions at the Bank on September 15, 2023, subject to their confirmation by the Senate. Meanwhile, The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed the resignation of Mr Godwin Emefiele as its governor, three months after being suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu.
FG seeks withdrawal of firearms case against Emefiele
* Introduces new charges against former CBN Gov The Federal Government has initiated steps to withdraw the case of “illegal possession of firearms” it had previously filed against Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, made an oral application before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, explaining that the decision was based on the outcome of further investigations. However, Joseph Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and legal representative for Emefiele, opposed the application. He argued that the government should rectify its disregard for the court’s order granting Emefiele bail before proceeding with its application. Justice Oweibo has scheduled a hearing for Thursday, August 17, 2023, to make a ruling on the matter. After the proceedings, the DPP revealed that a fresh set of charges, totaling 20 counts, has been filed against the suspended CBN governor at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. Among the charges is an accusation of “conferring unlawful advantages” against Emefiele.
Tinubu, CBN, and Nigeria’s economy
The resurgence of the Gestapo era last witnessed during General Sani Abacha’s jackboot regime is gradually staging a comeback in our democratic dispensation. Nigeria witnessed the abrasive invasion of the National Assembly by the Nigerian secret police, the Department of State Security Service (DSS), under former President Muhammadu Buhari. The President though was not in the saddle at the time, was away on medical treatment abroad. His Vice President, who acted as the President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo held sway. The Vice President didn’t blink an eyelid sacking the Director General of the agency, Lawal Daura, for the assault, and desecration of the symbol of democracy. The vice president considered the incident a misnomer that should not be allowed to fester. The northern political elite never forgave Osinbajo for that singular action. Their oligarchical chauvinism made sure Osinbajo never acted in presidential capacity till the regime timed out. Power was no longer transmitted to him even when the president was on official or medical trips. July 25, 2023, reenacted the ugly DNA of the DSS. The agency had arraigned Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in a high court in Lagos, accused of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition by the Federal Government. Recall that the DSS in November/December 2022 had declared Godwin Emefiele wanted for terrorism sponsorship. The hide and seek game came to a temporary halt after the DSS withdrew their operatives from the security details of the governor, making him vulnerable, but the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, provided him a succour, replacing his security details with military personnel. We all know it was just a temporary reprieve as those who wanted their pound of flesh of Emefiele were waiting. About a week ago, a court of competent jurisdiction ruled and ordered the DSS to either arraign Emefiele or release him from their detention. Emefiele until his arraignment has been incarcerated for 36 days. The agency, a few hours after the court order, announced that Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court. However, on the day of arraignment, the DSS threw decency to the winds, engaging a sister agency in supremacy. It was not only deplorable, but condemnable. The judge had ruled and committed Godwin Emefiele to bail of N20m and one surety with landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. The judge also ordered that Emefiele be kept in the custody of the Correctional Service pending when the accused will perfect his bail. The DSS opposed that, claiming to have been directed by ‘orders from the above’ to take Emefiele back into custody. Correctional Service personnel were disallowed from carrying out the court order, as the squadron leader of the Correctional operatives was forcefully rough-handled. It took the directive of the Comptroller General of the Service who ordered his operatives to stand down and leave the court premises to bring a semblance of sanity after securing Emefiele. The charges against Emefiele are purely civil which does not warrant the show of force and shame exhibited by the DSS. Many non-state actors have been seen brazenly brandishing sophisticated weapons, but none has been seen treated as Emefiele. This is not defending Godwin Emefiele for whatever allegation brought against him, but the treatment meted out to a public officer of his stature, who has meritoriously served his country is unbefitting. Is Godwin Emefiele’s sins more than a pistol and 123 rounds of ammunition found in his house? Are these exhibits enough to make him a terrorist or a sponsor of terrorism? Godwin Emefiele may have erred while doing his tenure at the CBN, but the treatment being meted out to him does not justify the weight of the allegation. It is also obvious that some politicians have sworn not to forgive Emefiele and are bent on destroying him. From the bestial behavior of the DSS operatives, it was obvious that Emefiele had been marked for destruction for daring to redesign the Naira at the onset of the 2022/23 political campaigns. President Bola Tinubu while campaigning had cried foul, accusing the suspended CBN governor of targeting him for failure with the redesign. He never hid his disdain for Emefiele’s actions. Peradventure Godwin Emefiele had not dabbled into politics, would President Tinubu have felt that way? But the President on every occasion labeled the CBN as a mess under the suspended governor. He alleged Emefiele had perpetrated arbitrage and rent-seeking. It was therefore obvious; he would not work with Emefiele. Godwin Emefiele too may have probably resigned, knowing that the political class, particularly President Tinubu, viewed his Naira redesign policy as a vendetta against his frustrated political ambition, thus it is now their time to take their pound of flesh. He should have resigned immediately when President Tinubu won the election. Whether his resignation would have been honoured or not is another debate altogether. The political class should have exercised restraint considering the economic implication of what Emefiele symbolises, the CBN. How would the international investing community see us – disobedient to court rules? A CBN governor humiliated because of petty political miscalculation or skirmish? Yet, we are a nation hungrily looking for investors. The economy is on its knees, the Naira is battered, and insecurity is devouring us. Emefiele’s intransigence is inconsequential to the barrage of challenges facing the nation. President Tinubu who is acclaimed to possess a large political heart of forgiveness should thread softly about Godwin Emefiele. He promised renewed hope, and to rule Nigeria with the rule of law. The Incident at the Lagos High court was barbaric, anti-rule of law, and despotic. President Tinubu’s golden silence while the drama lasted is suspect, belying his promise. His silence affirms the saying going around now: ‘Baba so pe’, meaning Baba said so. The economy is troubled, citizens are agonised by his economic reforms. Assuaging and giving Nigerians comfort should be his paramount desire, not missteps of an individual. The show of shame by the DSS operatives, witnessed globally,
Legal Showdown: 60 lawyers sue DSS for withholding Emefiele’s release
No fewer than 60 legal practitioners on Monday, approached a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to begin committal proceedings against the Department of State Services (DSS). The lawyers said the suit was hinged on what they described as violation of multiple judgments and orders of court directing the agency to release former Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele. The lawyers led by Mr Maxwell Opara and Mr Ahmed Tijani, prayed the court to commit the DSS to prison the department clears itself of the contempt. The lawyers filed a motion before the court for the issuance of Form 48 and Form 49, which are the forms used to commence proceedings to commit a contemnor to prison. The lawyers said that by the judgments and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan, Justice Hamza Muazu and Justice Bello Kawu, the DSS Director -General ought to have released Emefiele from detention. In an affidavit in support of the application, the lawyers deposed to the fact Justice Hassan restrained the respondents, particularly, the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interrogating Emefiele. This was with regards to offences connected to terrorism financing, money laundering, round tripping and financial crimes of national security dimension. They also deposed that despite the clear and positive orders of the court, the DSS went ahead to arrest and detain Emefiele and had detained him for over a month while shopping for evidence, which did not exist. Addressing newsmen after filing their processes, Opara said the group would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that Bichi was sent to prison. He said this was to serve as a deterrent to other heads of security agencies that disobedience of court orders would no longer be tolerated. Opara also said it was preposterous that the DSS had accused Emefiele of having committed heinous crimes against the state only for it to now file a charge of possession of a validly registered pump action rifle against him. “Is it not clear enough to Nigerians that the DSS is persecuting Emefiele if after holding him for five weeks they can only file a ridiculous charge of possessing a validly registered pump action gun?” “This clearly shows that the travail of Emefiele is more for political reasons than for any other.”
Court orders DSS to allow Emefiele access to family, lawyers
A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately grant suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele unhindered access to his lawyers and family members. Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order following an oral application by counsel to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu (SAN) with Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) in a suit marked No: FCT/HC/CV/6450/23. Listed as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF); the Director General of State Security Service and the State Security Service. The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.” In his submission, Daudu informed the court that he has written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application. Responding, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents I. Awo, informed the court that the DSS does not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it is wrong to do so. Awo assured that he is certain the Security Service would abide the order of Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application. Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS, as well as the AGF requested for an extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted and the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday June 20, 2023 for substantive hearing of the suit. Godwin Emefiele, has been taken into custody by DSS hours after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office. The spokesperson to DSS, Peter Afunanya in statement confirmed that “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.”