General News of Tuesday, 14 May 2024

Source: www.mynigeria.com

EFCC levels new allegations against Emefiele over naira printing

Godwin Emefiele, Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele, Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought new allegations against Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Emefiele is accused by the anti-corruption body of unauthorized naira note printing during his time as the head of Nigeria's central bank.

Previously, Emefiele faced a four-count indictment from the EFCC, which included the illegal sanctioning of approximately N124.8 billion withdrawal from the consolidated revenue fund.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele's actions were in direct contravention of legal regulations and were intended to harm public interests. It is claimed that he sanctioned the currency printing without securing consent from the then-President, Muhammadu Buhari, or the CBN board.

Facing multiple legal challenges in both Abuja and Lagos, Emefiele is slated to enter his plea before Justice Maryann Anenih.

It is noteworthy that upon taking office, President Bola Tinubu enacted a suspension of Emefiele from his role as CBN Governor.

The charge against him, read: “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.

“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.”