A Nigerian judge will decide whether former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele must present a defense to charges involving disputed bank contracts and an alleged $6.23 million withdrawal.
Justice Hamza Mu’azu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja reserved his ruling Oct. 20 after lawyers argued over Emefiele’s no-case submission. The request asks the judge to dismiss charges after prosecutors have presented their evidence, before the defense presents its case. Mu’azu said the parties would be informed of the ruling date. Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to the amended 20-count charge.
The charge covers separate allegations concerning central bank contract awards and a cash withdrawal purportedly intended for foreign observers of Nigeria’s 2023 election. Prosecutors allege that a forged government letter was used to obtain the $6.23 million. The pending ruling concerns whether the prosecution has presented a case requiring a defense; it will not decide Emefiele’s guilt.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo argued that contracts bypassed the bank’s tenders board. He said April 1616 Nigeria Limited had access to the bank’s internal pricing information before bidding, giving it an advantage over rival contractors. The court has not ruled on those claims.
Emefiele’s lawyer Matthew Burkaa argued that witnesses had shown neither that Emefiele manipulated the contract process nor that he benefited personally. On the withdrawal allegation, Burkaa cited testimony from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha that signatures attributed to Mustapha and former President Muhammadu Buhari on related documents were forged. The authenticity of those signatures remains disputed.
If the submission succeeds on all counts, the case will end without a defense case. If the court leaves any counts in place, the trial may proceed to the defense stage on the remaining charges. Mu’azu has not announced a ruling date.
