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Ex-Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Accused of Corruption Released on Bail

© AP Photo / Sunday AlambaGodwin Emefiele, suspended Central Bank governor, leaves after a court hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos Nigeria
Godwin Emefiele, suspended Central Bank governor, leaves after a court hearing at the Federal High Court in Lagos Nigeria - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 23.11.2023
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The Nigerian government alleged that between 2018 and 2020, the ex-Central Bank Chief illegally purchased 43 vehicles worth 1.2 billion naira (almost $1.4 million) and awarded a contract for the purchase of 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles worth 854 million naira (over $1 million).
Nigeria's high court has released former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, who is facing corruption charges, on bail of 300 million naira and two sureties (about $333,000), local media said.
"I hereby admit the applicant [Emefiele] to bail subject to his appearance in court,” Justice Muazu said in his ruling as quoted by media.
Specifically, sureties must have title deeds to properties in the prestigious Maitama area of Abuja, the nation's capital. The judge also reportedly asked Emefiele, to surrender his travel documents to the court and remain in Abuja, while the case against him is pending.
The initial charge filed against Emefiele by the Federal Government in August consisted of 20 counts amounting to 6.5 billion naira (over $7.7 million) and was reduced last week to six counts amounting to 1.6 billion naira (almost $1.9 million).

Efemiele appeared in court last week for a bail application and pleaded not guilty to the six-count indictment after it was read to him. According to the amended indictment, the charges still relate to procurement fraud.

Nigerian security services first detained Emefiele in June as part of an investigation into his office. The move was preceded by a decision by Nigeria's president, Bola Tinubu, to suspend the central bank governor amid planned reforms in the financial sector and his stated call for a "thorough house-cleaning" in the Central Bank.
Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress party [now Nigeria's president] meets with supporters at the party's campaign headquarters after winning the presidential election in Abuja, Nigeria, Wednesday, March 1, 2023.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 05.08.2023
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Later in July, a Lagos court ordered the release of Emefiele on bail, however, security agencies re-arrested the former CBN Chief.
Emefiele assumed office as governor of the Central Bank in June 2014. In May 2019, he was reappointed for a second term that was supposed to end next June. He was replaced by new central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso in September.
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