HOW EFCC ARRAIGNS FORMER CBN GOVERNOR EMEFIELE FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF 753 HOUSING UNITS 

The former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele has been arraigned before the high court of the federal capital territory, Abuja, on an eight-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery, and unlawful possession of property suspected to be proceeds of crime to the tune of seven billion, eight hundred and thirty-one million, two thousand, three hundred and ninety-six naira.

EFCC is prosecuting the defendant for allegedly using his privileged position then to unlawfully acquire properties and control large sums of money suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity.

Emefiele during his arraignment pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

In view of Emefiele’s not guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, urged the court to proceed to trial, citing section 19 of the EFCC Act.

But the defence counsel, Mathew Burka, SAN, informed the court of a pending bail application filed on June 13, he argued that Emefiele had never defaulted on any previous bail terms granted by other courts.

Ruling on the bail application, Justice Yusuf Halilu granted bail to the defendant with two sureties.

The sureties must submit undertakings to ensure the defendant’s attendance in court, failing which the properties will be forfeited to the federal government, and the sureties remanded.

Emefiele must also deposit his travel documents with the court.

Justice Halilu however held that the defendant must meet the conditions by Wednesday, June 18 or be remanded in a correctional centre.

The case has been adjourned to July 11, for commencement of trial.