Witness claims Emefiele’s companies received preferential treatment in procurement fraud case

In a hearing on Monday, October 21, at an Abuja High Court, prosecution witness Mr. Stephen Gana testified that two companies owned by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele received preferential treatment during a bidding process for vehicle procurement contracts.

Gana, who previously served as the Head of the Procurement Department at the CBN, provided evidence in the case of alleged procurement fraud being pursued by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). As Prosecution Witness 10 (PW10), he confirmed that he was in office when the contracts for vehicles listed in Exhibits F4 to F45 were approved.

During his testimony, Gana revealed that the CBN acquired Toyota vehicles totaling N99,900,000 from April “1616” Company Ltd through direct procurement. He also noted that two Toyota Hilux vehicles were procured for N23,100,000 each via selective bidding, as referenced in Exhibit F5. Gana explained that the contract was awarded to April 1616 Company because they submitted the lowest bid, which aligned with the CBN’s internal estimate.

Earlier in his testimony, Gana elaborated on the procurement process at the CBN, stating that contracts could be awarded through either direct procurement or selective bidding, depending on guidance from the Director of the Procurement Department and collaboration with other procurement officials.

After his testimony, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, requested the court to adjourn the case to a date other than the previously scheduled October 22. Defense counsel Matthew Burkaa did not oppose this request but highlighted the high costs associated with travel.

Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently adjourned the case until November 13 for the continuation of the trial.