EFCC Investigates Emefiele’s Connection: CBN Contracts Awarded To Family Members Raise Questions

EFCC Investigates Emefiele’s Connection: CBN Contracts Awarded To Family Members Raise Questions....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

A witness from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Agboro Omowera, informed a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama on Monday that ten officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), including the former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, were involved in awarding multi-million contracts to April 1616 and Architekon Nigeria Limited.

Emefiele is accused of using his position to provide a corrupt advantage to his wife, Margaret, and brother-in-law by approving a payment of N97.9 million to Architekon Nigeria Ltd, where both individuals serve as directors. The EFCC alleges that this contract was for the supply of office furniture to the CBN.

The seventh prosecution witness, Omowera, stated during cross-examination that 10 individuals were involved in the awarding of these contracts, with documentation and approval minuted. He emphasized that, as the head of the CBN, the responsibility ultimately rested with Emefiele, and he was the one person accountable for the decision.

When questioned about whether Emefiele conferred a corrupt advantage on himself, Omowera clarified that their investigation focused on the governor’s relatives and associates, excluding Emefiele himself.

The witness, led by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, had earlier revealed findings that suggested Emefiele provided a corrupt and unfair advantage to Architekon Nigeria Limited and April 1616. He mentioned that Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, was listed as a director of Architekon Nigeria Limited, using her maiden name for registration.

Additionally, Sa`adatu Yaro, a CBN staff, was listed as a director of April 1616 Investment Ltd, a company awarded several contracts for the supply of Toyota Hilux vehicles. The investigative team discovered that Yaro’s husband had other companies, but only the one where she was a director received contracts from the CBN.

The trial judge, Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter until April 25 for the continuation of the trial. It is noteworthy that on February 10, the EFCC declared Emefiele’s wife and three others wanted for allegedly conspiring to steal substantial sums of money from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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