ABUJA, Nigeria – Mediaage NG News – Sacked Nigerian Central Bank governor, Godwin Emiefele is facing more 14 count charge from state prosecutors. Emiefele was arrested last June shortly after President Bola Tinubu assume office of the presidency.
The pair had a rocky relationship in the lead up to last year’s presidential election. He was initially suspended and then sacked four months ago.
Mr. Emiefele was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last November on six counts of fraud involving a sum of 1.2bn naira ($1.3m, £1.1m).
In December, the 62-year-old banker was granted bail, which restricted his movements to within the capital.
When the case resumed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Thursday, EFCC lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the charges had been amended to include forgery, criminal breach of trust, obtaining by false pretence and conferring corrupt advantage.
The new charges follow a report by a presidential team set up to investigate alleged wrongdoings at the central bank.
Mr Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, said he would need some time to study the new charges before his client could enter a plea.
At Thursday’s hearing, these restrtictions were amended – and he can now travel throughout the country.
The case was adjourned to Friday.