Victor EzejaThe Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted bail to the former governor of the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele, who was initially arrested and detained by the Department of State Service (DSS) on June 9, was later transferred to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He has in total, been in the custody of the Federal Government security agencies for over 150 days and was brought to Court today in compliance with the order of Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court made on November 2.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, November 6, EFCC, however, failed to produce Emefiele in court.
In his ruling today, Justice Adeniyi ordered the release of the embattled ex-CBN governor to his lawyer who the judge mandated to produce him for arraignment during the next court sitting tentatively scheduled for next week Wednesday, November 15.
The judge further mandated that while awaiting his arraignment, Emefiele must also deposit his travel papers before the chief registrar of the court.
Speaking to newsmen after the court ruling, counsel to Emefiele, Mr Matthew Burkaa, said: “the court has admitted to bail and the terms have been perfected and he is free to go home and return for arraignment any day the court fixes, it is tentatively November 15, next week Wednesday.”
Emefiele’s Ordeals
Emefiele was on June 9, 2023, suspended by President Bola Tinubu and was subsequently arrested by the DSS.
Following series of legal battles by Emefiele’s lawyers contesting his continued incarceration by the DSS, the secret police yielded to pressure on July 13, 2023, and declared that the suspended head of the apex bank had been charged to court.
DSS brought Emefiele to Lagos court on July 25 where he pleaded not “not guilty” to the two counts of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition filed against him by the Federal Government.
The Nigerian secret police later in August withdrew its charges against the ex-apex bank chief and released him on October 26. However, Emefiele was surprisingly detained the same day by the EFCC.
After failing to produce Emefiele during Monday court sitting, the antigraft agency yielded to court order and brought him to court for hearing of his bail application on Wednesday.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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