The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) preferred a fresh charge against the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on Tuesday, News About Nigeria reports.
The EFCC accused Emefiele of illegally printing naira notes while he was the governor of the apex bank.
According to the EFCC, Emefiele went ahead to over-print the naira notes without consulting former President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN board.
In a four count charge, the anti-graft agency also accused Emefiele of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of about N124.8 billion from the consolidated revenue fund.
The charges against the former CBN governor partly read, “That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1,000, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.”
Emefiele is expected to take his plea before trial Justice Maryann Anenih.
