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The planned resumption of proceedings in the ongoing trial of former Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was stalled on Thursday owing to his absence.

Emefiele is being prosecuted before Justice Maryanne Anenih by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a six-count charge in which he is among others, accused of unlawfully printing new naira notes.

At the mention of the case on Thursday, neither Emefiele nor his lawyer was in court.

Prosecuting lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) told the court that he tried, but could not reach the lead defence lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN) on the phone.

Oyedepo said he later called another lawyer in the defence team, who told him that they omitted Thursday’s date in their dairy.

He then asked for adjournment to October 2, which is one of the dates earlier fixed for the case.

Ruling, Justice Anenih said she was granting the request for an adjournment in the interest of justice and at the instance of the defence.

She then adjourned till October 2, 9, and 17 for continuation of trial.

The prosecution has so far, called two witnesses in the case.

In the charge, marked: CR/264/2024 Emefiele is among others, accused of approving the printing of new naira notes between October 2022 and March 2023 without recourse to due process of law.

He is also accused of approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124,860,227,865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly.

The alleged offences are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

The charge reads:

Count One:

Statement of offence – Public servant disobeying the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Particulars of the offence: “That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 375, 520, 000 pieces of colour swapped N1,000 notes, at the total cost of N11,052, 068,062  without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

Count two:

Statement of offence –  Public Servant disobeying the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Particulars of the offence: That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 172,000,000  pieces of colour swapped N500 notes, at the total cost of N4,471,066,040 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

Count three:

Statement of offence – Public servant disobeying the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

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Particulars of the offence: That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele between the 19th day of October 2022 and 5th March 2023 in Abuja,  knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 19 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000  pieces of colour swapped N200 note, at the total cost of N3,441, 005, 280 without the recommendation of the Board of Central Bank and the strict approval of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.

Count four:

Statement of offence – Public servant disobeying the direction of law with intent to cause injury to the public contrary to and punishable under Section 123 of the Penal Code Law, Cap. 89 Laws of the Federation, 1990.

Particulars of the offence: That you Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele on or about the 7th day of October 2020, in Abuja, knowingly disobeyed the direction of Section 80 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended), by approving the withdrawal of the total sum of N124, 860, 227, 865.16 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation in a manner not prescribed by the National Assembly, which conduct of yours caused injury to the public and you thereby committed an offence.