A prosecution witness, Mr Stephen Gana, testified on Monday in an Abuja High Court that two companies owned by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele received preferential treatment during a bidding process for vehicle procurement contracts.
Gana made this statement while providing evidence in the case of alleged procurement fraud brought against Emefiele by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
As the Prosecution Witness (PW10), Gana previously served as the Head of the Procurement Department.
The witness, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, confirmed that he was in office when the contracts for vehicles listed in Exhibits F4 to F45 were approved.
He informed the court that the CBN acquired Toyota vehicles for a total cost of N99,900,000 from April “1616” Company Ltd through direct procurement.
Referring to Exhibit F5, Gana mentioned that two Toyota Hilux vehicles were obtained for N23,100,000 each via selective bidding.
He explained that the contract was awarded to April 1616 Company because they submitted the lowest bid, which matched the CBN’s internal estimate for the same amount.
Earlier, the witness had stated that at the CBN, contracts could be awarded either through direct procurement or selective bidding.
He added that the decision depended on the guidance of the Director of the Procurement Department, who collaborates with the Deputy Director, the Head of Procurement (himself), and the procurement officer.
Following his testimony, the prosecution counsel requested the court to grant an adjournment to a date other than the previously scheduled October 22.
The defense counsel, Matthew Burkaa, did not oppose this request but noted that the high cost of movement should be taken into account.
Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the case until November 13 for the continuation of trial.
Alleged procurement fraud: Emefiele’s firms got preferential treatment – Witness
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