Emefiele Allegedly Awarded Contracts to Family Members’ Companies

Emefiele Allegedly Awarded Contracts to Family Members’ Companies

Mr Michael Agboro, a prosecution witness, has alleged that the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to companies owned by his wife and brother-in-law.

Emefiele is facing a 20-count amended charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The charges include criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as CBN Governor.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele forged a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, with reference number SGF.43/L.01/201, purporting it to be from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).

Additionally, Emefiele is accused of using his position to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

Agboro, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), testified and was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN.

When asked if Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantages on himself, Agboro responded, “He conferred on Saadatu Yaro, who is a public officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.”

Regarding whether Emefiele alone could award and approve contracts, Agboro confirmed that the contracts were approved by the defendant. He also stated, “The difference is that the defendant was an employee of CBN,” when asked about the distinction between CBN and Emefiele.

Agboro admitted that their investigation was limited to Emefiele, his wife, relatives, and associates. Their findings revealed that Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or account signatory in either April 1616 Nigeria Ltd or Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Additionally, there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies during his tenure at the CBN.

When questioned about whether they interviewed CBN personnel to verify if the two firms executed their contracted jobs, Agboro confirmed that they did. However, he could not recall if this was included in their final report.

Agboro, led in evidence by EFCC counsel Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on March 11, tendered several documents, including company registration documents and contract award and payment records related to the two firms. The documents showed that a director of April 1616, Saadatu Yaro, is a public officer with the CBN, while Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo, were directors in Architekon.

Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until Tuesday for the re-examination of the witness.