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Tag: Godwin Emefiele

  • Court orders final forfeiture of $1.4m linked to Emefiele

    Court orders final forfeiture of $1.4m linked to Emefiele

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the permanent forfeiture of $1.4 million linked to fraud involving the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

    In his ruling on Thursday, Justice Ayokunle Faji stated that the sum was proven to be proceeds of unlawful activities and must be forfeited to the federal government.

    The judge ruled in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) which had established the illegitimacy of the funds.

    The EFCC, through its counsel, Bilkisu Bahri-Bala, informed the court that $1,426,175.14 was found in the account of Donatone Limited at Titan Trust Bank (Account No. 2000000500), and investigations confirmed the money was linked to fraudulent activities.

    An affidavit deposed by EFCC investigator David Jayeoba revealed that intelligence reports led to the discovery of funds concealed in Donatone Limited’s account.

    According to Jayeoba, the investigation uncovered a scheme involving Emefiele and his associates, including Donatone Limited directors Uzeobo Anthony and Adebanjo Olurotimi, who allegedly helped hide and disguise the proceeds of illicit activities.

    Between 2021 and 2022, when foreign exchange was scarce in Nigeria, many international companies struggled to access forex.

    The EFCC alleged that Emefiele and his associates collected bribes and kickbacks from businesses seeking forex approvals.

    One such entity, identified as (NP), reportedly paid $26,552,000 into Donatone Limited’s account at Titan Trust Bank.

    Justice Faji had previously issued an interim forfeiture order on May 30, 2024, before ruling on the permanent forfeiture of the funds.

  • Judge dismisses recusal request in Emefiele’s trial

    Judge dismisses recusal request in Emefiele’s trial

    LAGOS — JUSTICE Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, yesterday, dismissed a request for his recusal from the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

    Emefiele is standing trial along with Henry Omoile over an allegation of fraud brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

    During the proceedings on Monday, February 24, 2025, the seventh prosecution witness, Mr John Adetola, testified that he received $400,000 from John Ayoh and delivered it to Emefiele in his office.

    The prosecution also sought to verify WhatsApp messages allegedly printed from Omoile’s phone.

    However, the defence objected, arguing that the document had only been admitted for identification and should not be considered as evidence.

    Despite the defence opposition, Justice Oshodi permitted the witness to read from the document.

    Subsequently, the defence, led by Olalekan Ojo, SAN, applied for the judge to recuse himself, arguing that his previous rulings suggested a likelihood of bias.

    Ojo said: “A judge can be either consciously or unconsciously biased. At this stage, I urge the court to recuse itself.”

    Omoile’s lawyer, Gbadamosi Kazeem, supported Ojo’s submission.

    However, the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, opposed the application, insisting that the proceedings had been conducted fairly and equitably.

    Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter until Wednesday, February 26, 2025, to rule on whether  he would withdraw from the case.

    Delivering his ruling on Wednesday, the judge held that the allegations of bias were unsubstantiated and that there was no evidence to justify his withdrawal.

    After reviewing the arguments and legal authorities cited, he ruled that the application lacked merit and dismissed it.

    “The claims of bias have not been substantiated by either of the defendants. Accordingly, the first and second defendants’ recusal application is refused,” Justice Oshodi ruled.

  • Emefiele counters EFCC’s move to call more witnesses

    Emefiele counters EFCC’s move to call more witnesses

    Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has urged the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from calling additional witnesses in his ongoing procurement fraud trial.

    Emefiele’s lead counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), argued on Monday that since the EFCC initially listed only 10 witnesses in its proof of evidence, it should not be allowed to introduce more.

    However, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), opposed the application, stating that additional testimonies were necessary for a fair and thorough trial.

    Oyedepo emphasised that barring the EFCC from calling more witnesses would violate the agency’s right to a fair hearing. After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the ruling until March 20.

    Emefiele is facing 20 counts of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy in the case marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023. He is also accused of abusing his position as CBN governor to confer corrupt advantages on two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

    During Monday’s proceedings, the EFCC’s 10th witness, Salawu Gana, testified that the contract awarded to April 1616 for the procurement of vehicles for the CBN adhered to procurement laws and CBN guidelines.

    Under cross-examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Gana stated that the CBN Procurement Department evaluated all submitted quotations and awarded the contract to April 1616 because it offered the lowest price.

    He also said Emefiele only approved the contract based on recommendations from the CBN Tenders Board and that the vehicles were supplied and April 1616 was paid as recommended by the board.

    According to him, Emefiele was not a member of the CBN Tenders Board and no evidence exists linking payments from April 1616’s bank account to Emefiele.

    He stated further that Emefiele was neither a director, shareholder, nor signatory to April 1616’s bank account.

    Gana also testified that Emefiele did not influence the procurement process in favour of April 1616 and had no direct oversight over procurement staff.

    The EFCC, through its counsel, presented bundles of exhibits related to the bidding process for 45 different contracts involving April 1616, RT Briscoe, and Globe Motors. However, Gana maintained that April 1616 won the contracts because it submitted the lowest quotations.