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Emefiele Approved Contracts, Payments To Wife, Brother-in-law – Witness Testifies
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele faced damning allegations in court on Monday as a prosecution witness accused him of awarding lucrative contracts to companies owned by his wife and a brother-in-law.
This testimony was given during Mr. Emefiele’s trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Responding to questions from the defence team, Mr. Agboro, the seventh prosecution witness (PW7), provided details in the ongoing case where Mr. Emefiele faces charges including corruption, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining approximately $6.23 million under false pretences.
His trials in Abuja and Lagos follow his removal from office by President Bola Tinubu last June.
During the proceedings on Monday, Michael Agboro, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), testified under the guidance of Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) prosecuting for the EFCC.
Agboro had initially stated in March that former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele awarded 45 contracts, totaling billions of naira, to family members and associates, including his wife Margaret Emefiele.
The witness detailed that April 1616 Investment Limited, owned by Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a CBN employee and an associate of Mr. Emefiele, was one of the companies benefiting from these contracts.
According to Agboro, a collaborative investigation involving the ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the State Security Service (SSS) revealed that these contracts were allegedly awarded to confer corrupt advantages upon the recipients.
During cross-examination, prosecution witness Michael Agboro reaffirmed his earlier claims despite questioning from Godwin Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
According to reports, Agboro reiterated that Mr. Emefiele allegedly conferred unfair advantages on Saadatu Yaro, a CBN employee, as well as on his wife and brother-in-law through awarded contracts.
When asked if Mr. Emefiele personally approved and awarded contracts, Agboro confirmed that the defendant indeed approved the contracts in question.
Responding to queries about the distinction between Mr. Emefiele and the CBN institution, Agboro noted that while Mr. Emefiele was an employee of the CBN, there existed a difference between the two entities.
Regarding Mr. Emefiele’s role in the tender’s board or procurement department, Agboro admitted he did not possess knowledge on those specifics.
He said “We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.”
However, Michael Agboro clarified that investigations did not find evidence of Mr. Emefiele holding directorship, shareholding, or account signing authority in April 1616 Limited or Architekon Nigeria Limited.
He also acknowledged there was no proof indicating these companies paid Mr. Emefiele for his official duties.
When questioned about whether his investigative team interviewed relevant CBN officials regarding the execution of contracts by these firms, Agboro confirmed they did.
However, he admitted he couldn’t recall if their final report definitively stated whether the companies successfully completed the contracted jobs.
Justice Muazu accepted the exhibits into evidence and adjourned the case until June 25, 2024, for the witness to undergo re-examination.
The prosecution has leveled 20 charges against Mr. Emefiele, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain money by false pretenses, and obtaining money under false pretenses during his tenure as CBN governor.
Furthermore, it is alleged that Mr. Emefiele forged a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, with Reference No. SGF.43/L.01/201, purportedly from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
The EFCC has accused him of leveraging his position as CBN governor to unfairly benefit two companies, namely April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd, through corrupt means.
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has launched a 5-day Hands-on Oracle Primavera P6 Training in Rivers State, targeting 50 participants.
The training, being executed by Mathnebi Nig. Ltd, commenced today, March 16th and will run until Friday, March 20th.
The intensive hands-on program aims to equip participants with practical skills in project management using Oracle Primavera P6, enhancing their capabilities in the energy and construction sectors.
The NCDMB’s sponsorship of the training underscores its commitment to boosting local capacity and driving Nigeria’s economic growth through skills development.
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The training is expected to benefit participants and contribute to the development of Nigeria’s project management landscape.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Mr. Taiwo Oyedele as Nigeria’s new Minister of State for Finance at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly after the Senate confirmed Oyedele’s nomination last Wednesday.
Oyedele, 50, from Ikaram, Akoko in Ondo State, brings over two decades of experience in fiscal policy and tax administration.
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He previously chaired the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, which overhauled Nigeria’s tax system, introducing zero income tax for Nigerians earning N800,000 or less and exemptions for small businesses with turnovers below N50 million.
During his Senate screening, Oyedele described his appointment as “a call to serve at a critical time when Nigeria faces significant fiscal challenges and remarkable opportunities.”
He replaces Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, who has been redeployed to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
Oyedele also spent 22 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, held executive programs at top global institutions including the London School of Economics and Harvard Kennedy School, and currently serves as a professor at Babcock University.
The minister’s appointment signals a continued focus on implementing the Tax Reform Acts, which took effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax system while boosting economic growth.
Passengers were thrown into panic on Monday after a train operating along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor derailed, leaving several passengers injured and disrupting services on the busy route.
The train, which was travelling from Kaduna to Abuja, reportedly failed to reach its destination as scheduled after the incident occurred along the rail line linking both cities.
According to passengers on board, the incident happened suddenly, sending shock through the coaches as the train came to an abrupt halt.
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Some passengers said they heard a loud bang before the train jolted violently, throwing several occupants off their seats.
Eyewitnesses said the sudden impact caused confusion inside the train compartments, with some passengers sustaining cuts and bruises after hitting seats and metal fittings.
Initial reports suggested that the Abuja-bound train might have collided with another train along the corridor, forcing rail operations to pause temporarily while authorities assessed the situation.
A source within the Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident but declined to give full details, noting that he was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter.
One of the passengers, Sada Malumfashi, shared his experience on social media shortly after leaving the train.
He described the moment as frightening, stating that the loud sound and sudden stop caused many passengers to be flung from their seats.
He said the train remained stationary for about 30 minutes before the journey resumed slowly toward Kubwa, located on the outskirts of Abuja.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu, confirmed the development and said an official statement would be issued.
Authorities are yet to disclose the exact cause of the derailment or the full extent of injuries as investigations continue.
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