The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele has been released from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after meeting his bail conditions. Adamu Duza, spokesperson for the centre, confirmed to newsmen on Saturday.
By Ademu Usman Idakwo
Adamu said Emefiele was released on Friday night, 22 December.
The former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor has been facing trial over alleged procurement fraud and other criminal offences. The federal government has reduced the 20-count criminal charge standing against him to one.
Emefiele was charged alongside Sa’adatu Yaro, a female employee of CBN, and her company, April 1616 Investment. The former apex bank boss was accused of using his position to connive with Yaro by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.
These vehicles include 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles at the cost of N854.7 million, one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9 million, one Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73.8 million, two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification vehicles at the cost of N44,200,000.
He was also alleged to have awarded Yaro a contract for the procurement of two Toyota Landcruiser VXR V8s worth N138 million.
Emefiele pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charge. He was thereafter remanded at the Kuje correctional facility pleading a ruling on his bail application.
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A federal capital territory high court granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million. The judge had 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.
