The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh four-count charge against Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The anti-graft agency is accusing Emefiele of “illegal” printing of naira notes in its fresh charge.

Emefiele is expected to be arraigned before Maryann Anenih, a judge at the federal capital territory (FCT) high court, on Wednesday.

In the charge sheet seen by TheCable, EFCC alleges that Emefiele “disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public” by approving the printing of naira notes without “strict approval” from former President Muhammadu Buhari and the CBN board.

The anti-graft agency also accused Emefiele of approving the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the consolidated revenue fund “in a manner not prescribed by the national assembly”.

“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 which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence,” the charge sheet reads.

“That you, GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE, between the 19th of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000 pieces of colour swapped N500 (Five Hundred Naira) Notes, at the total cost of N4, 471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“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 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) Note, at the total cost of N3, 441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

“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.”

NAIRA REDESIGN CONTROVERSY

On October 26, 2022, Emefiele announced the plan to redesign the highest denominations of the country’s currency to control money supply and aid security agencies in tackling illicit financial flows.

Emefiele had said the new notes (N200, N500, and N1000) would be effective from mid-December 2022, advising customers to deposit their old notes before January 31, 2023, when they would cease to be legal tender.

The scarcity of old naira notes sparked violent protests in many parts of the country as banks and automated teller machines (ATMs) were torched.

Many analysts had argued that the naira redesign policy was politically motivated.

On numerous occasions, Buhari expressed approval for the naira redesign policy.

In November 2023, Buhari explained why he approved the naira redesign policy.

MULTIPLE TRIALS

Emefiele is currently facing multiple trials over his management of public funds and decisions taken while he was governor of the apex bank.

In November 2023, Emefiele was arraigned before Hamza Muazu, a judge at the FCT high court, on a six-count charge bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The charge which was formerly six counts, had been increased to 20 counts.

The former CBN governor pleaded not guilty.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh eight-count charge against Hadi Sirika, former minister of aviation, over an alleged contract fraud.

The former minister will be arraigned alongside his brother, Ahmad Abubakar, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar, before S.B. Belgore, a judge of a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Abuja, on Tuesday.

Sirika is alleged to have abused his office by awarding contracts to Enginos Nigeria Limited.

Already, Sirika is standing trial on a six-count charge bordering on the same offences.

He was arraigned on May 9 alongside Fatima, his daughter; his son-in-law, Jalal Hamma; and Al-Duraq Investment Limited, over an alleged N2.7 billion contract fraud.

All the defendants pleaded not guilty and were also granted bail in the sum of N100 million each.

Sirika was the aviation minister in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.

The anti-graft agency began investigating the alleged contract fraud against Sirika while he was still in office.

He also reportedly met with investigators at the time.

The EFCC had reportedly detained Sirika on April 23, pending his arraignment.

The case, which is before Sylvanus Oriji, a judge of an FCT high court, has been adjourned to June 10, 11, and 20 for trial.

The Department of Development Control, under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has issued a 24-hour demolition notice to the proprietors of 500 unauthorized markets and makeshift structures along the Karmo – Dei-Dei Road corridor in Abuja.  

Mr. Garba Jibril, Sector Monitor and Assistant Director in the department, who oversaw the operation in Abuja on Monday, made this disclosure in a statement.  

Jibril further said that the Director of Development Control, Mr. Mukhtar Galadima, had conducted a sensitization meeting with the stakeholders. 

He explained that the demolition of the unauthorized structures was essential as they cause disturbances on the road and contribute to significant traffic congestion, particularly on market days.

The team leader also revealed that the FCTA has granted a contract for the development of the Life Camp – Dei-Dei Road.

However, he noted that the ongoing presence of traders along the road corridor is obstructing the contractors from beginning their work.

He said that the 24-hour notice should be taken seriously and that non-compliance would result in consequences for those involved.

Additionally, he said that the traders have been directed to relocate to the officially designated Karmo Market, which is fully developed and equipped with all required facilities.

“But the traders have been reluctant to move,” he noted.

“We have had several meetings with the relevant stakeholders, including traditional leaders in the area, to get them to move but they remained adamant.

“We equally held a meeting with the traders and the new market operators, who promised to give the traders some incentives to be able to accommodate them in both the informal and the main shops.

“We are hoping that after the demolition, there will be a successful relocation from the road corridor to the main market.

“This will not only maintain a serene environment but also ensure the free flow of traffic in the area,” Jibril said.