Embattled Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele who is under suspension is looking less likely to ever go ahead in his trial as the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory this Wednesday hasn’t listed the case of alleged procurement fraud levelled against him.
Mr Emefiele is accused of awarding contracts for the purchase of luxury vehicles to the tune of N6.9billion to one Saadatu Yaro, a staff of the CBN, in breach of the procurement law.
Yaro who is director of April1616 Investment Limited purchased vehicles including Toyota Hilux trucks, SUVs and bulletproof Mercedes-Benz buses.
Both Emefiele and Saadatu as well as her company are listed as defendants in the case.
The arraignment didn’t go ahead about a week ago on account of Saadatu’s sudden illness, and latest information now indicates that Emefiele is now considering reaching a deal with the government, a plea bargain seems a viable option.
Sources say the embattled bank Chief has told his legal team headed by senior lawyer, Joseph Daudu, to give him two weeks to sought out the terms of the proposed agreement.
According to the source, Emefiele isn’t pleased with the media attention the case is generating.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu recently appointed Lateef Fagbemi as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
And there’s no ruling out the possibility of the new Justice Minister requesting a review of the files of some high profile cases being prosecuted by government.
(C) ControlTV 2023.
