The trial of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, unfolded with startling revelations as the Seventh Prosecution Witness (PW7) shed light on alleged irregularities in contract awards.
The witness, identified as Agboro Michael, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), testified before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Michael detailed how Emefiele purportedly signed off on contracts worth billions of Naira to companies linked to his wife, brother-in-law, and associates.
Among the companies named were April 1616 Investment Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited, reportedly owned by Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, Margaret Emefiele (the wife of Godwin Emefiele), and Emefiele’s brother-in-law, respectively.
The witness disclosed that these companies were awarded multiple contracts, including supplying Toyota vehicles, despite concerns raised by investigators regarding their accreditation and the fairness of the bidding process.
Documents presented in court allegedly showed Emefiele’s approval for payments totaling hundreds of millions of Naira to these entities.
Furthermore, Michael highlighted instances where significant sums of money were credited to the accounts of these companies from the CBN, raising suspicions of financial impropriety.
The investigation also uncovered instances where Emefiele allegedly used his position to confer advantages on his wife and brother-in-law, awarding contracts for the renovation and landscaping of official residences and procurement of furniture items.
During cross-examination, counsel for the defendant, Matthew Burkaa SAN, sought to challenge the witness’s assertions, pointing out the involvement of multiple signatories in the contract approval process.
However, the witness reiterated that Emefiele, as the approving authority, bore primary responsibility for the alleged misconduct.
In response to attempts to tender Emefiele’s statement at the Nigeria Police Force as evidence, objections were raised regarding its certification.
The court subsequently adjourned the proceedings to allow for the provision of certified documents.
The trial is set to resume on April 25 and 26, 2024, as Justice Muazu continues to preside over the case, signaling a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice against alleged corruption within Nigeria’s financial institutions.
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