Breaking: Again, Court Adjourns N6.9bn Fraud Case Against Emefiele

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the hearing of the Nigerian government’s fresh N6.9bn procurement fraud case against the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the second time.

This is as the case which was adjourned by the vacation judge, Justice Hamza Muazu last week was not listed on the court’s cause list this morning, August 23, 2023.

It was gathered at the courtroom that the arraignment was shifted at the instance of the detained CBN Chief.

Daily Post reported that Emefiele and his-co accused, Saadat Yaro, opted for a plea bargain policy to settle with the Federal Government.

Emefiele’s lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kehinde Akinlolu, confirmed the shift in the arraignment.

He said that a new date may likely be issued by the Chief Judge, Justice Hussein Baba Yusuf.

At the time of this report, operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, who escorescortedto court, and his legal team were absent.

Emefiele was charged alongside Mrs. Ramalan-Yaro, and her company, April 1616 Investment Limited.

Mr. Emefiele and Mrs. Ramalan-Yaro, described in the charge as CBN staff, were accused of conspiracy and procurement fraud involving N6.9 bion.

The charges alleged that Mr. Emefiele conferred corrupt advantages on Ms. Ramalan-Yaro, using her firm, April 1616 Investment Limited.

The government also alleged that the defendants perpetrated procurement fraud through the award of contracts to Mrs. Ramalan-Yaro’s company for the supply of cars.