The Federal Government has amended the criminal charge filed against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
The charge which was formerly six counts, has now been increased to 20 counts.
It borders on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Recall that Emefiele was arraigned on November 18, 2023, and had pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge.
However, on November 22, 2023, a Federal High Court in Abuja granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million.
The presiding judge also ruled that the former CBN governor must produce two sureties in like sum who would have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama district in Abuja.
At the resumed trial on Thursday, January 18, counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo said he had served the defence team with an amended charge.
In response, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, said he would need some time to study the new charge before his client could enter a plea.
The presiding judge, Justice Hamza Mu’azu adjourned the case to Friday, January 19.
Meanwhile, the court agreed to vary Emefiele’s bail condition which previously restricted him to the FCT.
Oyedepo did not object to the defendant’s plea for variation of the bail terms.
The court granted the application permitting the former CBN governor to travel within Nigeria but restrained him from leaving the country during the pendency of the case.
