Godwin Emefiele, Nigeria’s ex-central bank governor, was charged on Friday with fraud, accused of falsely obtaining $6.2 million in bank funds.
Emefiele, pleading not guilty, faces a total of 20 charges, making him the most prominent official to be accused of corruption under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which began last year after a contested election.
The charges include allegations that Emefiele misrepresented the secretary to the government of the federation to secure funds for foreign election observer missions.
Additionally, he is accused of awarding contracts for the renovation of the bank’s official residence to a company owned by his relatives, leading to charges of criminal breach of trust.
Emefiele’s trial is set to commence next month. Tinubu suspended Emefiele in June, leading to his arrest, and he resigned in August, paving the way for the appointment of a new central bank governor, Olayemi Cardoso, in September.
