As Ex-CBN Governor Breaks Down in Tears in Court
- By Kamil Opeyemi
The absence of an accomplice in the case of N6.9bn procurement scandal, Saadatu Yaro on Thursday stalled the arraignment of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele had arrived at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja over the alleged procurement fraud but case could not proceed due to the absence of the second defendant who was said to be indisposed.
This was just as Emefiele broke down in tears in court on Thursday after hearing the adjournment of the case. A visibly worried Emefiele had hid his face from cameramen who swarmed on him to catch images of him shedding tears.
Following an application for adjournment, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter to August 23, 2023.
Emefiele will be arraigned alongside Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.
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.