The rescheduled arraignment of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and his co-defendant, Mrs. Saadat Yaro, on a 20-count corruption charge was once again delayed. Neither Emefiele nor Yaro were present for the proceeding before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Although the vacation judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, was present, Emefiele’s case was not on the court’s cause-list. An anonymous court official cited “fresh developments in the matter” as the reason for the postponement, with a new date to be communicated later.
Reports indicate that Emefiele might be considering a plea bargain with the Federal Government to resolve the case outside of court. A defense lawyer hinted at ongoing talks between the parties. Emefiele’s lawyer confirmed the arraignment delay but didn’t comment on the plea bargain issue. The possibility of a plea bargain is in line with section 270(1) & (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, which allows negotiated settlements in criminal trials.
Emefiele’s arraignment was previously stalled due to the illness of Mrs. Yaro, who is also a defendant in the case. The charges include conspiracy, procurement fraud, and allegations of conferring corrupt advantages. The allegations revolve around contracts awarded to April 1616 Investment Limited, a company with which Emefiele is accused of having ties. These contracts involve the purchase of high-value vehicles and armored buses.
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The prosecution’s case is based on alleged breaches of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. Emefiele was arrested by the DSS after being suspended as the CBN governor. He was arraigned on an unrelated charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition but was later re-arrested within the court premises. The case continues to unfold amid legal complexities and developments.
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