Witness alleges Emefiele, others approved contracts for his wife

A prosecution witness has testified that former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele and nine other officials of the bank approved contracts for his wife.

Emefiele is standing trial on 20-count amended charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among others before an FCT High Court.

At the resumed hearing on Monday,  an investigator from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Agboro Omowera told the court that apart from Emefiele’s wife, Margaret, his  brother-in-law and staff of the apex bank, Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro also benefitted from the contracts.

According to the investigator, nine CBN officials minuted on the contract documents while Emefiele approved.

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Omowera testified that Yaro, a director at April 1616 Investment Ltd, was awarded several contracts by the CBN under the purview of Emefiele, for the supply of over 45 Toyota Hilux Vehicles ranging from N854,700,000, to N99,900,000.

He also testified that Emefiele’s wife, Margaret, and his brother-in-law were directors and major shareholders at Architecom Nigeria Ltd, a company that was contracted by the apex bank to renovate the CBN governor’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos state. 

Meanwhile, Justice Muazu has adjourned the case to April 25.