Court dismisses Emefiele’s medical leave application

By Vivian Michael A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama, Tuesday, refused the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. Ruling on the application, Justice Hamza Muazu held that although Emefiele stated he would be away from July 28 to September 10, no medical appointment or invitation was presented to the court. Muazu hinted that the court had the discretion to grant leave but highlighted that Emefiele is standing trial in three courts, two in the FCT and one in Lagos. Muazu stated, “The letter of invitation for medical follow-up is not attached. As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application, and he is standing trial in three courts. “The application is hereby dismissed, and the adjourned date for continuation of trial still stands.” The embattled former CBN boss is charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as the apex bank’s governor. The anti corruption agency also alleged that Emefiele forged a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, and purported it to have come from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). According to the prosecution, he was using his office to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies: April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Emefiele is alleged to have obtained $6,230,000.00 by false pretence on February 8, 2023, claiming it was requested by the SGF for a contingent logistic advance in line with the President’s directive.

Former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Demands N25 Billion in Damages from Senate President Akpabio

Godwin Emefiele, the immediate-past governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has taken legal action against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Emefiele is seeking N25 billion in damages over an alleged defamatory remark made by Akpabio. Akpabio, on Sunday, claimed that there are numerous allegations against Emefiele, making it challenging for the federal government to specify charges against him.  Additionally, Akpabio attributed the economic hardship in the country to the policies implemented during Emefiele’s tenure as the CBN governor. The demand for damages and an apology is outlined in a letter dated February 19, sent by Matthew Burkaa, counsel to Emefiele.  The letter warned that failure to comply with these demands will result in the former CBN governor seeking “appropriate redress” through legal means.

Buhari didn’t sign alleged $6.2M foreign election observers payment- Boss Mustapha

The Immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, Tuesday, said the letter credited to former President Buhari as author and signatory did not emanate from the Presidency while another one purported to have emanated from him and signed by him were forged documents. The ex-SGF revealed this to the federal high court Abuja, clearing former President Muhammadu Buhari and himself from the alleged fraudulent payment of $6.2M dollars to foreign election monitoring observers. Mustapha made the clarifications on Tuesday while giving evidence in the trial of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. He said that the one, Jubrin Abubakar who allegedly collected the $6.2M cash on February 8, 2023 under the watch of Emefiele was not a staff of the office of the SGF and was not known to him. Mustapha faulted the purported two letters alleged to have emanated from the Presidency under Buhari and the SGF office adding that the letters did not conform with the standard with which the Presidency and SGF write letters. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC had alleged that Emefiele forged the letters to defraud the federal government to the tune of$6, 230, 000 under the guise of making payments to some foreign election monitoring observers. Mustapha insisted that the issue of payment for either local or foreign observers is the sole responsibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC and not any other federal government agency. “Iam not privy to the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN and cannot write the governor for the attention of the Director, Banking Services. “From mere looking at the purported letters, the headline down the contents are defective. Iam not aware of the contents of the letters because there was no Federal Executive Council approval for such a thing”, he said. “The purported letter from the office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation bears my name as the SGF. To the best of my knowledge, the letter did not emanate from the SGF office. If did not emanate from the SGF office, then, I did not sign it. ” Nigerian government has no business with foreign election observers. That I know as a fact because I managed two election cycles. INEC has sole responsibility for the foreign election monitoring observers. “Looking at the signature on the purported letter that emanated from the Presidency, it is a failed attempt at reproducing President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature. “Uptil the time I left office, I did not know anything about the transactions. All through my service, I did not come across the letter purported to have been written by Mr President. “On the face value, and having served as SGF for 5 years and 7 months as SGF, I can say this letter did not emanate from the Presidency for seven major reasons. “Among others, the seal of the Presidency does not carry reference number. Seal itself is the authority. Federal Executive Council decisions are not transmitted by letters but by extracts after conclusions have been adopted. “Iam the custodian of FEC. The President will not refer FEC conclusions to me. In all the correspondences from the Presidency, President Buhari never ended with “Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards. Trial to be continued March 7th, 11th and 25th.

EFCC Declares Emefiele’s Wife Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday announced the pursuit of Margaret Dumbiri Emefiele, the wife of the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.  The anti-graft agency also sought Eric Ocheme Odoh, Jonathan Omoile, and Anita Joy Omoile for their alleged involvement in converting substantial amounts of government funds alongside the former CBN governor.  The EFCC accused them of committing felony, including obtaining money through false pretenses and stealing, under Sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.  The public notice urged individuals with information on their whereabouts to contact the EFCC offices or call 08093322644.  Godwin Emefiele is presently facing trial on multiple charges related to corruption, conspiracy, breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining funds by false pretenses, amounting to $6,230,000.00.