25th July, 2023
By Akin Kuponiyi
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria has granted bail to the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
He is to be remanded at the Ikoyi correctional center until bail is perfected.
Justice Nocholas Oweibo, the presiding judge, ordered that he paid the sum with one surety in like sum.
The judge made the order following the banker’s “not guilty” to a two-count charge filed against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
After hearing Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), the judge granted the bail. He rejected the prosecuting counsel’s claim that Emefiele was a flight risk.
The judge ruled that the prosecutor failed to provide any fact to support its claim.
Emefiele’s counsel had requested the court to grant his client bail on his own recognition or on other generous terms, awaiting the trial’s hearing and determination.
“There is no counter affidavit from the Federal Government opposing bail. Also, the defendant is a renowned banker and can only stay at his house, he can’t travel anywhere.”
But, the FG’s counsel, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, rejected the bail motion in an oral argument, claiming that the prosecution was not given enough time to react in accordance with the constitution’s principles for fair hearing.
She also stated that the prosecution had information that the defendant’s unwillingness to surrender his passport indicated his ability to escape and flee his trial.
“As the governor of the CBN, he is a powerful man, and can intimidate the witnesses. Granting him bail will intimidate the prosecutions witnesses who have come forward to give evidence. He can evade trial based on his antecedents. We urge the court to dismiss the bail application” she said
But the court overruled the Federal Government.
The judge ruled that Emefiele be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, until he fulfils his bail condition.
His trial has been fixed for November 14.