The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, failed to present Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) before the Federal Capital Territory’s High Court in Maitama for the hearing of his motion on fundamental rights enforcement.
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi had, last week, ordered the agency to release the former CBN Governor unconditionally or produce him in court for hearing of his motion that will determine his bail.
However, at the said proceeding, Emefiele’s lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, addressed the court saying that the EFCC had disregarded the court’s order.
Burkaa said, “My lord they have flouted both orders as today marks the 149th day of the Applicant being in custody. The Applicant is still in custody of the 3rd and 4th Respondents, up till this moment that we speak.”
The lawyer representing the EFCC, Farouk Abdullahi, said that the agency is a law abiding one that will not deliberately disobey court orders. He then explained that the EFCC had received the processes, but “Unfortunately, we are unable to do so [react to said process] because the processes received by 3rd and 4th respondents were incomplete.”
Justice Adeniyi then reinstated the order of the court, ordering the EFCC to either unconditionally release Emefiele or have him appear in court the following adjourned date to be granted bail.
The Court has now adjourned the hearing of Emefiele’s motion till Wednesday, November 8, also giving time for his counsel to provide additional documents.
These events follow Emefiele’s arrest by the EFCC shortly after his release from the Department of State Services (DSS) on the 27th of October 2023.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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