The arraignment of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja for suspected procurement fraud of N6.9 billion has been postponed due to the absence of the first and second defendants, who are claimed to be ill.
Emefiele, on the other hand, was present in court today (Thursday).
Following an adjournment request, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, rescheduled the case for August 23, 2023.
Emefiele will be charged with 20 counts of procurement fraud, conspiracy, and conferring corrupt favours on his colleagues, together with a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, and her company, April1616 Investment Limited.
The embattled apex bank chief, who has been in detention since he was suspended from office on June 9, 2023, was accused of conferring corrupt advantages on Yaro, a director in April 1616 Investment Ltd.
The offence is contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Tuesday had fixed today (Thursday) for its ruling on an application by the Federal Government seeking to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearm charge” it filed against Emefiele.