An Abuja High Court has fixed August 23 for the arraignment of suspended Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele for alleged N6.9 billion procurement fraud.
Emefiele was to be arraigned alongside Mrs Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April 1616 Investment Limited on Thursday on 20 charges bordering on procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates.
The arraignment of the suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele and others, however, suffered a setback as the second defendant, Yaro was absent in the court.
Counsel to the Federal Government and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, told Justice Hamza Muazu that Yaro took ill in the morning; and, so she was unable to make it to court.
Abubakar apologised to the court and applied for a new date for arraignment.
Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who stood for Emefiele.
did not oppose the request for adjournment.
The operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS), who brought Emefiele to court under heavy security, returned him to their custody immediately after the proceedings.
Before the court proceeded, Emefiele lowered his head, as he appeared to be making a call.
The ex-CBN governor, who has been in the custody of the DSS since his arrest being suspended on June 9, had exchanged pleasantries with his lawyers in the courtroom.
The Federal Government in the fresh charges against Emefiele alleged that he and the other accused persons procured about 98 luxury vehicles and armoured buses, with an estimated total value of ₦6.9 billion.
