Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) boss Godwin Emefiele has appeared in court to face charges.
He is being accused of misusing his position when he was CBN governor and mishandling billions of dollars, News About Nigeria reports.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently added new charges against him, alleging he improperly allocated $2 billion in foreign exchange without following proper procedures.
These alleged actions took place between 2022 and 2023.
Count one of the charges says, “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.”
The report had hinted that Emefiele would be arraigned before Rahman Oshodi, a judge of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Monday, April 8.
Emefiele is also facing corruption charges in Abuja.
In the case in Abuja, the EFCC accuses the ex-CBN governor of various crimes, including conspiracy and breach of trust.
However, Emefiele has denied these claims.
He initially faced six charges when brought to court on November 28, 2023. Later, the EFCC revised the charges, increasing them to 20 counts and removing the name of a former co-defendant, Sa’adatu Yaro, from the case.
Recall that Emefiele faced public backlash in 2022 when rumours circulated about his presidential ambitions.
This prompted legal action by citizens and civil society organisations.
He was ultimately suspended by President Tinubu in June 2023, when the latter stepped into office.
Emefiele was subsequently arrested and charged in July 2023 and later released on bail after being re-arrested by the Department of State Services.
