TheCable

The federal government has amended the criminal charge filed against Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The charge which was formerly six counts, has now been increased to 20 counts.

The amended charge borders on criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Emefiele was arraigned on November 18, and had pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge.

On November 22, a federal capital territory high court granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million.

The judge had also ruled that the former CBN governor must produce two sureties in like sum who would have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama district in Abuja.

At the resumed trial on Thursday, Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said he had served the defence team with an amended charge.

Responding, Mathew Burkaa, Emefiele’s counsel, said he would need some time to study the new charge before his client could enter a plea.

Hamza Mu’azu, presiding judge, adjourned the case to Friday, January 19.

COURT VARIES BAIL CONDITION

Meanwhile, the court agreed to vary Emefiele’s bail condition which previously restricted him to the federal capital territory (FCT).

Oyedepo did not object to the defendant’s plea for variation of the bail terms.

The court granted the application permitting the former CBN governor to travel within Nigeria but restrained him from leaving the country during the pendency of the case.