In a high-profile trial on Monday, Mr. Stephen Gana, a prosecution witness and former Head of the Procurement Department, testified at an Abuja High Court that two companies owned by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele received preferential treatment in vehicle procurement contracts. Gana's testimony is part of the case against Emefiele, who faces allegations of procurement fraud brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
During the proceedings, led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Gana confirmed that he oversaw the approval of contracts for vehicles detailed in Exhibits F4 to F45. He revealed that the CBN acquired Toyota vehicles worth N99,900,000 from April "1616" Company Ltd through direct procurement, while two Toyota Hilux vehicles were obtained at N23,100,000 each via selective bidding. The latter was awarded to April 1616 for placing the lowest bid that matched the CBN's in-house estimates.
Gana clarified that contracts at the CBN could be awarded through either direct procurement or selective bidding, depending on the guidance from the Director of the Procurement Department and other senior officers. Following his testimony, the prosecution requested an adjournment for a case he is involved in at the Supreme Court, which was granted by Justice Hamza Muazu, with the next hearing scheduled for November 13.
Defense counsel Matthew Burkaa raised concerns regarding the prosecution's amended evidence, specifically the introduction of two new witnesses not previously listed. He emphasized that the defense is not contesting the charges but is concerned about the new testimonies. Emefiele faces multiple allegations, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretenses, during his tenure as CBN governor.
