Fakoyejo OlalekanJustice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, said it will issue an arrest warrant against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele has failed to appear before the court for every date scheduled, thereby delaying judgement in the Paris Club refund case involving a judgement fund of $53 million.
The amount is the balance of the $70 million the court ordered the judgement debtors; CBN, Emefiele, Linas International Ltd and the Minister of Finance to pay legal counsel, Joe Agi.
According to reports, the judgement debt was awarded to Agi for his role in the Paris Club refund, but only $17 million has been paid.
Several dates have been set for the appearance of Emefiele since October 20, 2022. From January 18, 2023, to March 20, then June 6 and July 19, but Emefiele remained absent, prompting Justice Ekwo to threaten him with an arrest warrant.
Recall that Emefiele is currently detained by the Department of State Security (DSS) after he was arrested on June 9, shortly after his suspension from the office of the CBN.
On Wednesday, Justice Ekwo said Emefiele’s lawyer should tell the court why Emefiele shouldn’t be slammed with an arrest warrant following his numerous failure to comply with court orders.
Emefiele’s legal counsel, Audu Anuga, SAN, said he hasn’t been able to communicate the last adjournment to the CBN governor due to his detention.
“We made an effort to see how we can communicate with the 4th respondent (Emefiele) but the 3rd respondent (CBN) was unable to communicate with the 4th respondent.
“We rely only on public communication that the 4th respondent is incarcerated and have been unable to communicate with him.”
Anuga asked the court to give Emefiele another opportunity to comply since he has been suspended. He said the suspended CBN governor is at the mercy of the court.
“But there is an intervening event, as we have not had the privilege to see him,” Anuga said. He also stated that “The last opportunity my lord gave to the 4th respondent has not been communicated to him,” and “I feel opportunity should be given so that this can be communicated.”
Emefiele’s appearance at the court has been adjourned to October 31.
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