The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, denied the request by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical check-up.
Justice Hamza Muazu rejected Emefiele’s plea to have his passport released, stating that Emefiele did not provide sufficient reasons to prove that the medical trip was essential and unavoidable.
Emefiele is facing trial on 20 amended counts, including procurement fraud, obtaining by false pretense, and forgery.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission alleges that these crimes were committed during Emefiele’s tenure as CBN governor. Emefiele has pleaded not guilty.
After being granted bail, Emefiele was required to deposit his passport as a condition. At the last hearing on July 8, his lawyer, Labi-Lawal, submitted an affidavit requesting the release of Emefiele’s passport for medical treatment in the UK.
The EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, opposed the application, arguing that Emefiele posed a flight risk. Omeiza pointed out that there was no medical report indicating Emefiele had an ailment that couldn’t be treated in Nigeria.
In his ruling, Justice Muazu noted that Emefiele did not provide evidence of a medical appointment or invitation from the UK, despite claiming he would be away from July 28 to September 10. The judge also stated that Emefiele did not demonstrate that his condition couldn’t be treated in Nigeria.
Justice Muazu emphasized that, although the court could exercise discretion, granting Emefiele’s request was unreasonable given that he is facing trials in three different courts in Abuja and Lagos.
“The application is hereby dismissed, and the adjourned date for the continuation of the trial still stands,” said Justice Muazu.
Omeiza had argued that Emefiele might flee, given his global network of co-conspirators and the multiple charges he faces.
Emefiele is being tried in three separate cases. With Justice Muazu, he faces charges of procurement fraud and forgery. Before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, he is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. Additionally, Emefiele faces charges before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5 million notes at a cost of N18.96 billion.
Other allegations include forging a document purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and using his position to confer unfair advantage on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Emefiele is also accused of obtaining $6,230,000 under false pretense by misrepresenting a directive from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
Punch