Salawu Gana, a key witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified on Monday in a Federal Capital Territory High Court that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) followed the proper procurement laws and guidelines when awarding contracts for vehicle purchases.
Gana, the 10th witness in the trial, explained that the CBN Procurement Department received quotations from three major companies—RT. Briscoe, Globe Motors, and April 1616—for the vehicle supply. After evaluating the bids, the Procurement Department recommended April 1616 for the contract, which was approved by the CBN Tenders Board.
Under cross-examination by Matthew Burkaa, SAN, counsel for former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, Gana confirmed that Emefiele approved the contract award after the Tenders Board’s recommendation. He further testified that the vehicles were delivered, and payment was made to April 1616 following the Tenders Board’s approval.
Gana, who served as Head of the Procurement Unit during the contract award, clarified that Emefiele was not a member of the CBN Tenders Board. He also admitted that neither he nor any of the five procurement officers who recommended April 1616 had been charged by the EFCC.
In response to questions, Gana stated that there was no evidence linking Emefiele to payments made by April 1616 or any influence exerted by the former CBN governor in the procurement process. Gana confirmed that he reported to Director Ekanem Akpan, not directly to Emefiele.
The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, presented several documents related to 45 contracts for vehicle supplies, showing that April 1616 offered the lowest prices.
Meanwhile, Emefiele’s defense team, led by Matthew Burkaa, filed an application asking the court to prevent the EFCC from calling additional witnesses beyond the 10 listed. Burkaa argued that the EFCC had already submitted sufficient evidence, and further witnesses would overreach the court’s proceedings.
The EFCC opposed the application, arguing that limiting witnesses would violate its right to a fair hearing. Justice Hamza Muazu will rule on the application on March 20.
Emefiele faces a 20-count amended charge from the EFCC, including allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy to obtain money under false pretenses. The charges relate to his tenure as CBN governor, including accusations of forging documents and unfairly benefiting two companies: April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
