The Federal Government has revised and reduced the charges against the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, from the initial 20 counts to six. The charges, originally centered on alleged procurement fraud, were filed in August, citing a purported fraud amount of N6.5 billion.

Emefiele, along with a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro, and her company, April 1616 Investment, had their arraignment before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, delayed on two occasions. The Department of State Services' failure to produce Emefiele in court led to the stalling of proceedings. Subsequently, the charges were amended following his release by the DSS and his immediate re-arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on October 27.

In the modified charge sheet marked CR/577/2023, viewed on Wednesday, the counts were reduced to six, and the alleged procurement fraud amount was decreased from N6.9 billion to N1.2 billion. Notably, Emefiele is now the sole defendant in the amended charges.

The scheduled arraignment on Wednesday faced disruption due to the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. This nationwide strike was initiated following an assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1. Workers at the court, adhering to the directive of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, joined the strike, suspending court proceedings.

In the amended charge sheet, the Federal Government alleges that Emefiele unlawfully acquired 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020, amounting to N1.2 billion. Furthermore, the former CBN governor is accused of providing a corrupt advantage to Yaro by awarding a contract for the procurement of 37 Toyota Hilux vehicles valued at N854 million.