Godwin Emefiele - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Nigeria’s ex-central bank head Emefiele faces fresh charges on Monday

NIGERIA'S former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele will appear in a Lagos court on Monday after the country's anticorruption body on Friday filed 26 fresh charges against him alleging misuse of authority and corrupt practices. Emefiele is already facing procurement fraud charges in another court in the capital Abuja - which he has denied - after being detained in June last year by the Department of State Services. He was later transferred to the anticorruption body the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and was granted bail in November. The latest charges include receiving bribes, accepting gifts via intermediaries, engaging in corrupt practices, obtaining property…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria accuses former central bank boss to $6.2 million fraud

NEWS

NIGERIA'S former central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele was charged with fraud, including obtaining $6.2 million in bank funds under false pretences, part of 20 charges levelled against him by prosecutors. Emefiele entered a not guilty plea. The former Central Bank of Nigeria chief is the most high profile official to face corruption charges under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, who came to power last year following a disputed election. A court official read out the 20 charges against Emefiele, comprising 14 new ones and six that he had already faced. His trial will begin next month. Prosecutors said Emefiele…

Jan

2024

By The African Mirror

Nigeria slaps 14 new criminal charges against ex-central bank chief

NEWS

NIGERIAN prosecutors added 14 new criminal charges, including forgery, against former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele in the most high-profile corruption case under President Bola Tinubu. Emefiele, who presided over the affairs of the central bank for nine years, resigned last year after he was arrested and spent five months in detention. Prosecutors told a judge in Abuja that the new charges against Emefiele were linked to forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery and felony, procurement fraud and criminal breach of trust. Emefiele was being tried on six charges of procurement fraud after he was freed on $300,000 bail in November. He denied…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Disgraced Nigerian bank chief accused of hiding £543m in the UK

NEWS

GODWIN Emefiele, the disgraced former chief executive of a Nigerian bank has been accused of concealing an astonishing £543 million in 593 bank accounts in the United Kingdom, as reported by The Times and other reputable sources. The startling revelation has triggered waves of concern and controversy, both in Nigeria and abroad. Emefiele allegedly funnelled massive sums of money through various complex financial networks, ultimately stashing away the staggering amount in the UK. The funds purportedly stem from dubious transactions and embezzlement within the Nigerian banking sector. This revelation has sparked outrage in Nigeria, with citizens expressing frustration and condemnation…

Nov

2023

By CAMILLUS EBOH

Nigerian court grants bail to ex-central bank chief facing fraud charges

NEWS

A Nigerian court freed on bail former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele, who has been charged with six counts of fraud and corruption. Emefiele, suspended as head of the central bank in June and detained by the security services, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Justice Hamza Muazu granted Emefiele bail subject to the provision of a 300 million naira (roughly $333,000) bond and two sureties with properties in the upmarket Maitama district of the country's capital Abuja. "I hereby admit the applicant (Emefiele) to bail subject to his appearance in court," Justice Muazu said in his ruling. The…

Nov

2023

By CAMILLUS EBOH

Nigerian ex-central bank chief remanded in custody pending bail hearing

NEWS

A Nigerian court remanded former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele in custody on charges of procurement fraud, pending a bail hearing scheduled for Wednesday. Emefiele applied for bail after pleading not guilty to six new graft charges that accused him of "conferring corrupt advantage". Prosecutors cut the charges from a previous 20-count indictment, which he faced along with two others, so he could be tried separately and quickly. "The matter is hereby adjourned to Wednesday, November 22, for ruling on the bail application. Meanwhile, the defendant should be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the ruling on his bail," Justice Hamza…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigerian judge orders release of ex-central bank governor Emefiele

NEWS

A Nigerian court ordered that former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele should be freed unconditionally from detention or be taken to court for a hearing scheduled for Monday. Emefiele, who has been in detention since June 10, is charged with procurement fraud. His trial has stalled since Aug. 23 after the Department of State Services failed to present him in court to enter a plea, despite being granted bail by another judge. He has made no public comment since facing those charges. Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ruled in the hearing in Abuja that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Attorney General…

Jul

2023

By CAMILLUS EBOH

Nigeria charges suspended central bank chief after court ruling

BUSINESS

NIGERIA'S Department of State Security (DSS) said on Thursday it had filed charges in court against detained and suspended central bank governor Godwin Emefiele following an earlier order to charge him or release him. Papers filed by government lawyers showed that Emefiele is facing criminal charges including misappropriation of funds, meaning he could face long jail terms if convicted. The DSS did not give details on the charges and Emefiele has yet to appear in court. Emefiele was suspended by new President Bola Tinubu on June 9 and arrested a day later by the DSS. "Sequel to an Abuja High…

Jul

2023

By CAMILLUS EBOH

Nigerian judge says central bank chief must be released or charged

NEWS

NIGERIA'S High Court ordered the state security service to release the country's detained and suspended central bank governor Godwin Emefiele or charge him within a week. Emefiele was suspended by new President Bola Tinubu more than a month ago on June 9 and arrested a day later by the Department of State Security. Papers filed by government lawyers showed that Emefiele is facing criminal charges including misappropriation of funds, meaning he could face long jail terms if convicted. But he has not been formally charged or appeared in court. Emefiele and his lawyers have appealed against his detention but have…

Jun

2023

By The African Mirror

Nigerian court orders detained central-bank governor to have access to lawyers

NEWS

NIGERIA'S High Court has ordered the country's state security service to allow detained central bank governor Godwin Emefiele access to his lawyers, an interim court ruling seen by Reuters showed. Emefiele was suspended by President Bola Tinubu this month as part of the new president's drive to reform the central bank, which went on to remove restrictions on foreign currency trading, to the delight of investors. "The lawyers of the applicant (Emefiele) shall have access to the applicant immediately and regularly, at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application", Judge Hamza Muazu said in a ruling on Friday. Emifiele's application cited the…