Scheduled for May 15, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will bring charges against Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. The charges consist of three amended counts, accusing Emefiele of deliberately ignoring legal directives during the implementation of the naira swap policy under the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Additionally, the EFCC alleges Emefiele unlawfully approved the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
Reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the proceedings were originally set before Justice Maryann Anenih, but due to Emefiele’s trial in another court in Lagos, an adjournment was requested and granted until May 15.
Emefiele is concurrently facing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court on a 20-count amended charge brought by the EFCC, including accusations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretense during his tenure at the central bank.
In a separate case, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court awarded N100 million in damages to Emefiele against the federal government and EFCC for infringing on his rights. The court also prohibited the authorities from arresting Emefiele without a lawful court order.
Emefiele initiated legal action against the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the EFCC, and its Executive Chairman to assert his rights to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, and freedom of movement.
He argued against his extended detention without arraignment, citing violations of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.