By Halimah Olamide
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele is in court today to begin his trial over allegations of abuse of office.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had last week filed another 26 count charges against the embattled former Apex bank chief who has been, since his ouster, been accused of various corruption allegations.
Just last week, the Special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu Jim Obazee concluded his assignment and submitted its report.
To be arraigned along with Emefiele is one Henry Isioma Omole before Justice Rahman Oshodi.
In the charge marked ID/23787c/2024 and dated April 3, 2024, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele abused his office between 2022 and 2023 in Lagos.
Some of the allegations against him include accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, receipt of property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000.
“that you, GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE between 2022 and 2023, in Lagos, directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 (Two Billion, One Hundred and thirty-six million, three hundred and ninety-one thousand, seven hundred and thirty-seven Dollars, thirty-three cents) without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.” Count one of the charge reads.