The Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed a request by former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefiele which sought leave to access his international passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for a follow-up medical check-up.
Nairametrics previously reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on March 2024, told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, that Emefiele and nine other officials at the apex bank were involved in allegedly approving multi-billion contracts to his wife, Margaret, brother-in-law and staff of the apex bank, Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro.
The EFCC’s legal team equally opposed Emefiele’s application to travel out.
Facts of the case
Emefiele was arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court over the alleged illegal award of contracts.
It alleged that Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro, a director at April 1616 Investment Ltd, was awarded several contracts by the CBN under the purview of Emefiele, for the supply of over 45 Toyota Hilux Vehicles ranging from N854, 700,000, to N99,900,000.
Emefiele’s wife, Margaret, and his brother-in-law were directors and major shareholders at Architecom Nigeria Ltd, a company that was said to have been contracted by the apex bank to renovate the CBN governor’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos state.
Emefiele denied the allegations and subsequently applied to the court for leave to travel to the UK from July 28 and return on September 10, 2024.
But EFCC’s counsel, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza, contended that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment.
He insisted that the embattled governor is facing cases at three different courts.
Omeiza said,
“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.”
But Emefiele’s legal team urged the court to dismiss EFCC’s arguments, assuring the court that their client would return to attend the trial.
His lawyers argued that his sureties are aware of the UK hospital’s invitation regarding the need to come over for a medical check-up.
Justice Mu’azu then fixed today for ruling on Emefiele’s application.
What the judge said
Ruling on the application on Tuesday, Justice Muazu said it is a fact that the defendant is presumed innocent pending the determination of his case.
He said, however, that Emefiele did not provide any letter from the UK hospital showing his medical conditions among other things.
“As it stands, I cannot exercise my discretion to allow the applicant travel outside Nigeria, ” the judge held.
The judge also observed that Emefiele is facing criminal charges in three different courts.
“The application fails and is hereby dismissed, ” the judge ruled.
What you should know
Emefiele was arraigned on a 20-count charge bordering on alleged corrupt practices and forgery instituted by EFCC.
The former governor had pleaded not guilty to the charges and trial commenced.
On February 13, 2024, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, told the court that his principal, Buhari, did not approve $6.2 million as payment for election observers.
At previous proceedings, a document analyst from the EFCC further confirmed the forgery of Buhari, Mustapha’s signatures.
The embattled governor is facing criminal proceedings in two other trial courts in Lagos and Abuja.