By Emma Njoku
The Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday, ordered immediate and unconditional release of former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC is currently probing Emefiele over alleged impropriety during his term as the head of the apex bank.
Emefiele was picked up by operatives of the anti-graft agency on Thursday night, last week, less than an hour after he regained his freedom from the dungeon of the Department of State Services (DSS).
However, in a motion ex parte Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/040/2023, filed on October 31, 2023 Emefiele’s Counsel, Dr. Okanta Emefiele, prayed the court to order the immediate and unconditional release of the embattled former CBN governor, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
Joined in the suit are the Federal Government of Nigeria (First Respondent); the Attorney General of the Federation (second respondent; The Executive Chairman, EFCC (third respondent and the EFCC (fourth respondent).
Delivering his judgement yesterday, Justice O.A. Adeniyi ordered “the immediate and unconditional release of Applicant (Emefiele) from detention, forthwith; or in the alternative, produce him in court on the date fixed for hearing of the substantive motion on notice for purposes of being admitted to bail by the court.”
The court adjourned further hearing on the matter to Monday, November 6, 2023.