Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has blocked an application by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele for the release of his passport to facilitate a medical trip abroad.
Labi-Lawal, Emefiele’s lawyer had filed an affidavit seeking the release of the accused passport so he could fly to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
However, on Monday, July 8, the EFCC opposed the application. EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale said the prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment.
He went on to say, that if at all the former CBN boss was ill, there was no evidence proving that he could not be treated in Nigeria.
“Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions, “ Oyewale’s statement read in part.
Moreover, the EFCC argued that Emefiele was a flight risk. The commission claimed that the ex-CBN governor is well-connected and might jump bail once overseas.
“The defendant has co-conspirators all over the world. One Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts,” Oyewale said quoting Omeiza.
Emefiele’s counsel dismissed the prosecution’s claims as speculative, arguing that the prosecution could issue an international red alert for Emefiele’s arrest if he failed to return to Nigeria after the medical trip.
After hearing both sides, the trial Judge, Justice Hamza Mu’azu adjourned the ruling on the case to July 16, 2024.
Emefiele has been embroiled in a series of legal cases involving procurement fraud, receiving bribes, money laundering and embezzlement.
He is currently facing trial in three separate cases before different judges.
Before Justice Mu’azu, he is on trial for procurement fraud after being accused of using his position and office to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd, a company linked to his wife, Margaret Omoyile.
He is also charged with forging former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature among other charges. EFCC accused Emefiele of knowingly obtaining, by false pretence, $6.2 million by falsely representing the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated Jan. 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 and requesting the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance for $6,230,000 “in line with Presidential directive.”
In a separate case before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Lagos, Emefiele is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and $1.8 million.
Additionally, he is facing charges before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5 million notes at the cost of N18.96 billion.
