In a dramatic turn of events, the High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the remand of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele in the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of his bail request.
Emefiele is standing trial on charges of procurement fraud allegedly amounting to over N1 billion. The trial, which had been postponed on three occasions, finally commenced on Friday.
The Federal Government had initially leveled 20 charges of procurement fraud worth N6.5 billion against Emefiele, but later reduced the charges to six.
During Friday’s proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN, filed a bail application, which was strongly opposed by the Federal Government’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo.
Presiding Judge Justice Hamza Muazu explained that a bench ruling could not be delivered immediately due to the extensive arguments and evidence presented by both parties. He stated that he required more time to review the legal precedents cited and examine the exhibits submitted by Emefiele in support of his bail request.
Consequently, Justice Muazu ordered that Emefiele be remanded in Kuje prison until the determination of his bail application. The court adjourned the case until November 22 for a ruling on the bail application and November 28 for the commencement of the trial.
Emefiele’s remand order comes after Justice Olukayode Adeniyi granted him bail on November 8, allowing him to be released to his lawyers after spending 151 days in detention.
This latest development highlights the ongoing legal proceedings against Emefiele and the complexities surrounding the corruption allegations he faces. The court’s decision to remand him in custody pending the bail hearing reflects the seriousness of the charges and the need for a thorough judicial process.
