Emefiele who was arrested by Nigeria’s secret Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) in June and had been in detention since June 10, has been accused of procurement fraud to the tune of N6.9 billion.
The arraignment of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele was postponed for the second time on Wednesday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Emefiele, who was seized in June by Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and has been detained since June 10, is accused of N6.9 billion in procurement fraud.
He was first charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, but the case was eventually dropped by the government when he was given bail.
On Thursday, August 17, SaharaReporters reported that the anticipated arraignment of Emefiele and two others on 20 charges had been postponed at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Despite Emefiele’s presence in court, the arraignment could not take place since the second defendant, Sa’adatu Yaro, was not there.
The pair, together with a business called April 1616 Investment Limited, which is reported to be owned by Yaro, were scheduled to appear before Justice Hamza Muazu on new allegations related to suspected procurement law violations.
Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, a lawyer for the government, told Muazu that Mrs. Saadat Yaro got sick in the morning and couldn’t attend.
Abubakar apologized to the court and requested a fresh arraignment date.
Following an adjournment request, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, rescheduled the case for August 23, 2023.
However, the case could not proceed on Wednesday (today) since it was not on the list of court cases.
Both sides’ attorneys were not present in court.