By Adedapo Adesanya
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will arraign the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, on Wednesday, May 15, for approving the printing of N684.5 million at the rate of N18.96 billion.
The arraignment was originally scheduled for April 30, 2024, but was rescheduled following an agreement between the court and the parties.
In the four-count charge filed against him, the EFCC alleged that Mr Emefiele disobeyed the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The anti-graft agency also accused Mr Emefiele of unlawfully approving the withdrawal of N124.8 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federation.
The embattled former CBN governor will be arraigned on these counts before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court, Abuja.
This arraignment will bring to three the number of charges pending against the former CBN governor.
On November 17, 2023, Mr Emefiele was arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu on a six-count charge of procurement fraud to which he pleaded not guilty.
He was also accused of abusing his office by approving a contract for the acquisition of 43 vehicles totalling N1.2 billion from 2018 to 2020.
On April 8, 2024, the EFCC also arraigned the former banker alongside one Henry Omoile before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos for an alleged $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.
He’s also pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The new charge, dated April 2, 2024, was filed by the EFFC prosecutor, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) alongside eight other lawyers acting on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Business Post Contributor