The seventh prosecution witness, on Monday, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to companies owned by his wife and brother-in-law.
The witness – Michael Agboro – told Justice Hamza Muazu that the contracts were approved by Emefiele when he was the apex bank governor.
He also said that Emefiele was an employee of the CBN, not a member of the tender’s board or procurement department.
Emefiele is facing trial on a 20-count amended charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at FCT High Court.
The EFCC accused Emefiele of forging a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Also, 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), was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN).
Asked if Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantages on himself, Agboro answered in the affirmative, saying that the former CBN boss conferred advantages on Saadatu Yaro, a public officer working under him, as well as on his wife and brother-in-law.
The witness admitted that the investigation focused on Emefiele, his wife, relatives, and associates, revealing that Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or account signatory in either April 1616 Nigeria Ltd or Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
He also noted there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies during his duties at the CBN.
Asked again if they interviewed people in the CBN to verify whether the two firms executed their contracted jobs, Agboro confirmed they did but could not recall if that was included in the final report.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) on March 11, Agboro tendered several documents, including company registration documents and records of contract awards and payments.
He added that his team’s investigation, which included members from the ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Department of State Services (DSS), showed that while Yaro, a director of April 1616, was a public officer with the CBN, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo, were directors in Architekon.
He said: “We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.
“Our findings revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 limited or Architekon Nigeria limited.”
Justice Muazu adjourned the matter to Tuesday, June 25, for the re-examination of the witness.
– NAN