The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on May 15 in a Federal Capital Territory high court on a three-count amended charge.
According to the fresh charge, the EFCC alleges that Emefiele disobeyed directives of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Additionally, he is accused of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
The arraignment was earlier scheduled before Justice Maryann Anenih, but was postponed as all parties were not present due to Emefiele standing trial in another court in Lagos.
Emefiele is also facing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu of an FCT high court on a 20-count amended charge, preferred against him by the EFCC, for criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense, and obtaining money by false pretense during his tenure as CBN governor.
On January 8, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of an FCT high court awarded N100 million damages to Emefiele against the federal government and EFCC for violations of his rights and restrained them from arresting him unless an order was obtained through a competent court.
Emefiele had filed a suit against the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation, Executive Chairman of EFCC, and the Commission to enforce his fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement. He sought a declaration that his continued detention by the agency and subsequent transfer to its custody without being arraigned in court is unlawful and violates his rights as guaranteed by the constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
