Emefiele spent N18.9bn to print N684.5m notes, says EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, of approving the printing of N684,590,000 at the rate of N18.96 billion.

Although approved by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, the naira redesign policy of CBN under Emefiele has generated huge controversy for the former bank chief.

In a fresh four-count charge filed against him at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele broke the law with intent to harm the public during his implementation of the naira swap policy.

Baring unforseen circumstances, he would be arraigned before the FCT High Court, Abuja, on April 30, 2024.

Counts one to four of the charge, read, “STATEMENT OF OFFENCE: Public Servant disobeying 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 CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of N375,520,000.00 pieces of colour swapped N1, 000, 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 2: “That you, GODWIN IFEANYI EMEFIELE, between the 19th 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 (Five Hundred Naira) 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 3: “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 CBN Act, 2007, by approving the printing of 137,070,000 pieces of colour swapped N200 (Two Hundred Naira) 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.”

Rebuild mosque converted to market, MURIC tells Plateau leaders

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned the conversion of a mosque to a market in Mangu, Plateau State. The group said the action amounts to bidding farewell to peace in the zone.

This was stated in a press statement issued on Wednesday, 24th April, 2024 by the Founder and Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The full statement reads:

“The Bungha Dawo Jumu’ah Mosque in Mangu Local Government has been forcefully converted into a market place after it’s destruction by Mwaghavul Christian militia. Reports say the abominable action was taken by the Dawo District authorities.

“MURIC condemns this action in very strong terms. It is extreme, provocative and belligerent. It is tantamount to bidding farewell to peace.

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“By converting an existing mosque to a market place, the district authorities have declared to Muslims in the zone in particular and the rest of Nigeria in general, that they do not want any cordial relationship with Muslims at all.

“The destruction and forceful conversion of this mosque brings to mind the five evils that Chamberlain spoke about: brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.

“MURIC calls the attention of the Nigerian government and the general public to this brutish act of aggression, particularly those who have been blaming Muslims of Plateau State for the endless violence going on in the state.

“We urge the state governor, political leaders and elders in the zone to intervene. Already, a Muslim group in the zone has demanded that the mosque should be rebuilt and handed back to the Muslims. We support this position. The desecration of a mosque anywhere in the world should not be trivialized.

“The destruction and conversion of the mosque to a market constitutes a blatant encroachment on the fundamental human rights of Muslims and a threat to freedom of worship in the area. It is also a dangerous precedent which must not be allowed to become a point of reference.”

#NoToConversionofMosqueToMarket
#RebuildReturnMosque

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Founder/Executive Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

Rebuild mosque converted to market, MURIC tells Plateau leaders

Just in: I’ll resign if Yahaya Bello is not prosecuted – EFCC chairman

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has vowed to follow to a logical conclusion the prosecution of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello.

He states this on Tuesday during an interactive session with media executives in Abuja.

The EFCC chairman said he would resign if Bello escaped prosecution.

He said, “I called Yahaya Bello, as a serving governor, to come to my office to clear himself. I shouldn’t have done that.

“But he said because a certain senator has planted over 100 journalists in my office, he would not come.