By Uzair Adam
A prosecution witness, Mr. Stephen Gana, testified on Monday before an Abuja High Court, stating that two companies linked to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, received preferential treatment in vehicle procurement contract bids.
Gana, the tenth prosecution witness, explained that the contracts were awarded to Emefiele’s companies through selective processes, which bypassed regular competitive bidding.
Gana, who served as the Head of the Procurement Department at the CBN, disclosed this while being led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
He confirmed that he was in office when contracts for vehicles, as highlighted in exhibits presented to the court, were approved.
The witness testified that Toyota vehicles valued at N99,900,000 were procured from April 1616 Company Ltd through direct procurement.
Referring to another exhibit, Gana stated that two Toyota Hilux vehicles, costing N23,100,000 each, were obtained through selective bidding.
The April 1616 Company was awarded the contract after offering the lowest bid and meeting the CBN’s in-house estimate.
Gana explained that at the CBN, contracts could be awarded through direct procurement or selective bidding, depending on the recommendations of the Director of Procurement, who worked alongside him and other officials in the department.
Following Gana’s testimony, the prosecution counsel requested an adjournment, citing his involvement in a Supreme Court case.
The defense counsel, Matthew Burkaa, did not oppose the request but raised concerns about the cost of transportation. Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until November 13 for further hearings.
Earlier, Burkaa had challenged the prosecution’s move to introduce new witnesses, arguing that the defense was not informed about these additions during the initial charge.
Emefiele faces allegations of forgery, conspiracy, and breach of trust during his tenure as CBN Governor.
He is accused of using his position to favor two companies—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd—in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The hearing will continue next month.