A witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Michael Agboro on Monday told an FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja that the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele awarded contracts to companies owned by his wife Margaret and brother-in-law Mac Congo.
Emefiele is facing 20 count charges of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence.
The companies linked to Emefiele’s wife and brother-in-law are April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
Agboro, an ICPC investigator, was cross-examined by Emefiele’s counsel Matthew Burkaa.
When asked if the defendant conferred unfair and corrupt advantage on himself, he answered, “He conferred on Saadatu Yaro, who is a public officer working under him. He also conferred on his wife and brother-in-law.”
Asked if Emefiele alone could award and approve contracts, Agboro answered that the contracts were approved by the defendant.
The investigator, when asked if there was any difference between CBN and Emefiele, said: “The difference is that the defendant was an employee of CBN.”
He added, ”Our findings revealed that the defendant was not a director or shareholder or an account signatory in either April 1616 Limited or Architekon Nigeria Limited.”
Agboro also admitted that there was no evidence of any payment made to Emefiele by the two companies in the course of performing his duties at the CBN.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter until Tuesday, June 25 for re-examination of the witness.
