News
How Emefiele Awarded Contracts To Wife, Brother-In-Law During Tenure As CBN Governor, Witness Tells Court
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The seventh prosecution witness has told court that the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, awarded contracts to companies owned by his wife and brother-in-law.
The witness, Michael Agboro, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja that the contracts were approved by Emefiele when he was the apex bank governor.
He also said that Emefiele was an employee of the CBN and not a member of the tender’s board or procurement department.
Emefiele is facing trial on a 20-count amended charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at FCT High Court.
The EFCC has accused Emefiele of forging a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201, purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Also, Emefiele is accused of using his position to confer unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies: April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Agboro, an investigator with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN).
When asked if Emefiele conferred unfair and corrupt advantages on himself, Agboro responded that Emefiele conferred these advantages on Saadatu Yaro, a public officer working under him, as well as on his wife and brother-in-law.
The witness admitted that the investigation focused on Emefiele, his wife, relatives, and associates, revealing that Emefiele was not a director, shareholder, or account signatory in either April 1616 Nigeria Ltd or Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
He also noted there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by these companies during his duties at the CBN.
When asked if they interviewed people in the CBN to verify whether the two firms executed their contracted jobs, Agboro confirmed they did but could not recall if this was included in the final report.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), on March 11, Agboro tendered several documents, including company registration documents and records of contract awards and payments.
He added that his team’s investigation, which included members from the ICPC, EFCC, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), and the Department of State Services (DSS), showed that while Yaro, a director of April 1616, was a public officer with the CBN, Emefiele’s wife, Margaret Omoyile, and his brother-in-law, Mac Congo, were directors in Architekon.
He said, “We limited our investigation to him, his wife, relatives and associates.
“Our findings revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April1616 limited or Architekon Nigeria limited.”
The trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter until Tuesday, June 25 for the re-examination of the witness.
News
HoR Mediates Peace Among Rival Safety Professional Groups
News
Edo guber: LP’s Akpata remains a front runner, set to capture Edo
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Less than twenty-four hours to the start of voting in Saturday’s governorship poll in Edo State, a rash of fake news has broken out.
Leading parties in the election have had their fair shares of fake news either indicating the withdrawal of their candidates or disqualification by a Magistrate Court or Supreme Court.
For instance, Olumide Akpata of LP was said to have withdrawn from the race and thrown his support for Asue Ighodalo in a statement that read smoothly and appeared convincing.
THE CONCLAVE sent the statement to Akpata via WhatsApp for confirmed.
He responded by sending the same statement with FAKE NEWS boldly stamped on it.
He said he was set for victory at the poll.
There was also a news flash about the Supreme Court disqualifying Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, with a sign off: More details coming….
A Magistrate Court in Abuja was also reported to have disqualified Monday Okpebholo of the APC from the poll on account of age falsification.
The APC campaign organisation had swiftly put a lie to the report by deploying the court papers in the circumstance.
News
Guber poll :PDP govs storm Edo to support Ighodalo
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Barely 24hours to governorship election in Edo State, no fewer than two governors elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday arrived Benin City.
The governors, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Kefas Agbu of Taraba, arrived the state to mobilise support for the party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Fintiri made this known in a post on his social media page on Friday evening.
He said : “Just touched down in Edo State alongside my brother, Gov. Agbu Kefas, ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election. We stand united in support of our Official PDP Nigeria candidate, Asue ighodalo, for a brighter future.”
Edo governor, Godwin Obaseki, who is the PDP leader in the state, had earlier cried out over alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress to rig the election.
As at the time of filling this report, it was unclear if other PDP governors would also hit the state for the election
-
News23 hours ago
Hours to Edo guber polls, major opposition candidate crumbles structure for Ighodalo
-
Metro17 hours ago
Police confirm alleged ritual, kidnap incident at Top View hotel Abuja
-
News23 hours ago
SAD! Woman reportedly d!3s in Osun building c0llapse
-
News11 hours ago
Few Hours To Edo Election, Governorship Candidate Withdraws
-
Sports18 hours ago
Champions League: Monaco shock Barcelona, Atalanta hold Arsenal
-
Politics17 hours ago
Fintiri pledges support for PDP chair Damagum amid party division
-
News17 hours ago
Council autonomy: Constitution for rework, says Akpabio
-
News24 hours ago
Idinye Slams Intimidation Of PDP Leaders As Edo Prepares For Guber Poll