EFCC Witness Reveals No Evidence Linking Emefiele to Alleged Procurement Fraud

Salawu Gana, a witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified on Monday in a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, confirming that the vehicle contract awarded by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) adhered to due procurement laws and the bank’s internal guidelines.

Gana, who served as the Head of the Procurement Unit during the contract’s award, explained that quotations for supplying vehicles were sought from three major motor companies—RT. Briscoe, Globe Motors, and April 1616. After reviewing the submissions, the CBN’s Procurement Department recommended April 1616 for the contract based on their lower cost bid.

Under cross-examination by Matthew Burkaa, SAN, lead counsel for former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, Gana clarified that Emefiele had approved the contract award to April 1616 based on the recommendations of the CBN Tenders Board, not through any personal influence. He added that there was no document or evidence linking payments from April 1616’s bank account to Emefiele, and confirmed that the defendant was not a member of the CBN Tenders Board.

Gana also pointed out that none of the five procurement officers, including himself, who had recommended April 1616 for the contract were facing trial for the matter.

Earlier, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented numerous documents detailing bids for 45 vehicle supply contracts from April 1616, RT. Briscoe, and Globe Motors. Gana affirmed that April 1616 won the contract due to their most competitive pricing.

Meanwhile, Emefiele’s legal team, led by Burkaa, filed an application to prevent the EFCC from calling additional witnesses beyond the 10 listed in the proof of evidence. Burkaa argued that the EFCC had already tendered sufficient documents and evidence, and allowing more witnesses would overreach the court’s jurisdiction.

However, EFCC lawyer Oyedepo strongly opposed the application, arguing that it would violate the EFCC’s right to a fair hearing. Justice Hamza Muazu has scheduled a ruling on the application for March 20.

Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretenses during his tenure as CBN governor. Among the accusations is the alleged forging of a document titled Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions, purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He is also accused of using his position to unfairly benefit two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.