The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, Abuja, on Tuesday, declined to grant the request by the immediate-past Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical check-up.
Justice Hamza Muazu dismissed Emefiele’s prayer that his passport be released, saying the ex-apex bank helmsman failed to supply sufficient reasons to show that the medical trip was essential and unavoidable.
Emefiele is standing trial before the judge on amended 20 counts bordering on procurement fraud, obtaining by false pretense, and forgery.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission claimed that he committed the crimes while he held sway as the CBN governor but Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was released on bail and asked to deposit his passport as part of the bail conditions.
At the last hearing on July 8, his lawyer, Labi-Lawal, filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport to enable him to travel to the UK for medical treatment.
But the prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, Muhammad Omeiza, opposed the application, describing Emefiele as a flight risk.
Omeiza told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment. He added that if there was, there was no evidence to support that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Justice Muazu said Emefiele failed to show the court a copy of the medical appointment or invitation from the United Kingdom he claimed invited him for a medical check-up despite stating he will be away from July 28 to September 10.
The judge added that Emefiele did not establish that his ailment could not be attended to in Nigeria.
The judge said although the court had the power to exercise its discretion, it might be a little too much of a request for Emefiele to ask because he is standing trial in three different courts in the FCT and Lagos for various charges.
“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application, and he is standing trial in three courts.
“The application is hereby dismissed, and the adjourned date for continuation of trial still stands,” Justice Muazu said.
The prosecution counsel, Omeiza, had in opposition to Emefiele’s application argued that Emefiele was a flight risk, saying “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.”
The former CBN governor is facing trial in three separate cases before different judges.
With Justice Mu’azu, he is being tried for procurement fraud, forgery of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, and other charges.
Before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, Emefiele is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and N2.8bn.
Additionally, Emefiele appeared before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5m notes at the cost of N18.96bn.
Among others, Emefiele was alleged to have forged a document titled: Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He is also accused of using his office as CBN governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies; April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.
Emefiele in the amended charge was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023 knowingly obtained, by false pretense, $6,230,000.00 by falsely representing that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation vide a letter dated January 26, 2023 with Ref No. SGF 43/L.01/201 requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive.”
By Deborah Musa-Punch
