Former Nigeria Central Bank governor faces 26 new corruption charges News
GodwinPaya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Former Nigeria Central Bank governor faces 26 new corruption charges

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of Nigeria (EFCC) filed 26 new charges Friday against former Nigerian Central Bank Chief Godwin Emefiele. The charges concern Emefiele’s alleged abuses of office and corruption

The charges include allegations of fraudulent foreign exchange allocations totaling $2 billion without supporting bids, abuse of office and corruption. Emefiele also faces new charges of accepting gratification, receiving gifts through agents and unlawfully obtaining property—all of which are in violation of the Corrupt Practices Act, 2000. Emefiele has refuted all allegations.

These new charges come after an additional 14 charges were brought against the former central bank governor in January in a separate court. Included among those charges were allegations of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining money under false pretenses. Emefiele’s legal team raised procedural objections under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which were overruled by the High Court judge, who directed the concerns to be submitted in writing.

President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele on June 9, 2023 due to his purported role in the country’s financial downturn and ongoing investigations. Following his suspension, Emefiele was held by the Department of State Services until October, despite court orders for his release. Subsequently, a Nigerian high court granted Emefiele bail on fraud and corruption charges, reducing the indictment from 20 counts alleging a 6.5 billion naira fraud to six counts totaling 1.6 billion. Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The former central bank governor is scheduled to appear in court on Monday to respond to the 26 charges leveled against him.

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