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•FG raises charges from 6 to 20
From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The High Court at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday, granted the application by a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, to travel out of Abuja.
Justice Hamza Muazu had, on November 22, 2023, admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of N300 million and two sureties in like sum. The judge added that the sureties must have landed properties in the Maitama district of the FCT.
He further ordered the former CBN governor not to leave the court’s jurisdiction and directed him to deposit all his travel documents with the court.
However, Emefiele had through his counsel, Matthew Bukka (SAN), requested for a variation of the terms in his bail conditions. Bukka, who moved the application, yesterday, urged the court to grant the prayers of his client. He assured the court that Emefiele would not jump bail if the restriction was lifted.
He said, “From experience, we have seen cases where travel documents are with the court and the defendant will travel out of the country. What they usually do is go to the immigration and depose an affidavit that their traveling documents are missing. So, in addition to his traveling documents being with the court, he should write an undertaking that the defendant will remain in Nigeria for the duration of his trial. I am not in any way suggesting the defendant will jump bail. ”
In his ruling, Justice Muazu held that Emefiele must remain in the country pending the conclusion of his trial. He said, “The defendant’s application is, hereby, granted. He must remain in the country for the pendency of his trial. “
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, filed an amended 20-count charge against the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Emefiele was facing a six-count charge filed against him by the anti-graft agency bordering on alleged breach of procurement procedure in the award of the contract to April 1616 Investment Limited.
The commission had, in August 2023, charged Emefiele and Sa’adatu Yaro and a company, April 1616 Investment Limited, with a breach of the procurement act. This was in respect of the purchase of some vehicles.
Prosecution counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), had, on November 28, 2023, drawn the attention of the court to an amended charge dated November 8, 2023.
In that charge, Emefiele was the sole defendant and the charges were reduced from 20 to six. Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charge. However, when the case came up yesterday, Oyedepo told the court that they had filed another amended charge of 20 counts against Emefiele. The new charges include forgery, the conferring of corrupt advantage, and criminal breach of trust among others.
Responding, the defendant‘s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN), told the court that he needed time to study the new charge sheet. Subsequently, Justice Muazu adjourned the case until today for arraignment.
