Alleged Procurement Fraud: Emefiele’s coys got preferential treatment – witness tells court

A prosecution witness, Mr Stephen Gana, on Monday told an Abuja High Court that two companies belonging to former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele got preferential treatments in vehicle procurement contracts bidding.

The witness, made this known while testifying in the case of alleged procurement fraud preferred against Emefiele  by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Gana who is the Prosecution Witness (PW10), was the former Head of Procurement Department.

The witness led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN confirmed that he was in office when  contracts for vehicles contained in Exhibits F4 to F45, were approved.

The witness told the court that Toyota vehicles obtained at the cost of N99,900,000 was acquired by the CBN from April ”1616” Company Ltd through direct procurement .

Referring to Exhibit F5, Gana said two Toyota hilux were obtained at the cost of N23,100,000 each through selective bidding.

He said April 1616 company, was awarded the contract having placed the lowest bid and aligning with the CBN’s in-house estimate of the same sum.

Earlier, the witness had testified that at the CBN, contracts could be awarded through direct procurement or selective bidding.

He added, depending on the guidance of the Director of procurement department who works in team with the Deputy Director, the Head of Procurement(himself) and the procurement officer.

After his testimony, the prosecution counsel prayed the court to grant him an adjournment different from the earlier date of Oct. 22.

“I am appearing in a case filed by Kogi and 15 other states against the EFCC in the Supreme court on Tuesday,” he told the court.

The defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, however, did not object to the prayer but pointed out that cost of movement was high now and such be considered.

Justice Hamza Muazu then adjourned the matter until Nov 13, for continuation and hearing of the application.

Earlier, the defence counsel, Burkaa, had opposed the prosecution’s amended additional proof of evidence served on them.

Burkaa challenged the process and manifestation of intent to call two witnesses who were not listed earlier.

He said the defence was not challenging the charge but bringing in of new witnesses to testify.

NAN reports that Emefiele was alleged to have engaged in criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence, when he served as the apex bank’s boss.

Among the allegations was that the former CBN boss forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

He is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd in suit marked: FCT/HC/CR/577/2023.