In a recent development at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness, Agboro Omowera, provided significant testimony in the case involving former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Omowera, during his cross-examination by the defense counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), revealed that 10 officials of the CBN, including Emefiele, were involved in the documentation process for awarding multi-million contracts to two companies, April 1616 and Architekon Nigeria Limited.
The EFCC has accused Emefiele of using his position to grant undue financial advantages to his wife, Margret, and brother-in-law, as directors of Architekon Nigeria Ltd, through the approval of a N97.9m contract for the supply of office furniture to the CBN.
Omowera, as the seventh prosecution witness, clarified that while 10 individuals handled the documents related to the contract awards, the ultimate responsibility rested with Emefiele, the then CBN governor.
Addressing whether Emefiele personally gained from these actions, Omowera stated, “No. Why I said no is because we limited our investigation to his relatives and associates and not him.”
Earlier, led in evidence by the EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Omowera detailed his investigation findings, noting that Emefiele’s wife was listed as a director of Architekon Nigeria Limited, registered under her maiden name. Another CBN staff, Sa’adatu Yaro, was also identified as a director of April 1616 Investment Ltd, which was awarded contracts for the supply of over 45 Toyota Hilux vehicles.
The probe revealed a curious pattern of contract awards to April 1616 Investment Ltd, despite the company’s lack of accreditation from Toyota and absence of a track record.
This company started receiving substantial CBN contracts shortly after Yaro’s employment with the bank and her posting to the CBN Lagos office.
The matter, presided over by trial judge Hamza Muazu, has been adjourned till April 25 for continuation. In a related development, on February 10, the EFCC declared Emefiele’s wife and three others wanted for allegedly conspiring with the former CBN governor to embezzle significant funds belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
