JUST IN: FG Files Fresh Charges Against Emefiele

 

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Tuesday heard an application from the Federal Government to drop the charge of illegal possession of firearms against the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. The charge was based on the discovery of some weapons in his residence during a raid by the Department of State Services (DSS) in July.

 

The Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar, who made the oral application, said that the decision was informed by the outcome of further investigations. He said that the investigations revealed that Emefiele was not directly involved in the procurement of the firearms, but rather acted on the advice of his security aides.

 

Abubakar also disclosed that a new charge with 20 counts had been filed against Emefiele at the Federal High Court, Abuja. He said that the new charge was related to alleged financial crimes and abuse of office committed by Emefiele during his tenure as the CBN governor. He said that the new charge was based on evidence obtained from various sources, including bank statements, audit reports, and whistle-blowers.

 

Also, he told journalists after the court session that the Federal Government was determined to prosecute Emefiele for his alleged role in the mismanagement of public funds and violation of due process. He said that Emefiele would soon be arraigned in Abuja to face trial.

 

The presiding judge, Justice Adebayo Oyebanji, adjourned the case till September 12, 2023, to enable the prosecution to file a formal application for withdrawal of the charge and serve it on the defence counsel. He also ordered that Emefiele should remain in custody pending his arraignment in Abuja.

 

Emefiele was suspended as the CBN governor on July 24, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of foreign exchange reserves. He was arrested by the DSS on July 25, 2023, and arraigned on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in prison custody.