8th April, 2024
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday ordered the remand of Godwin Eemefiele, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)for alleged abuse of office and $5.5 billion, N2.8 billion fraud.
Emefiele is to be remanded till the next adjourned date, Thursday, April 11 when the court will give its ruling on bail.
Earlier, Emefiele who was arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi had pleaded not guilty to the 26-count charges filed against him and his co-defendant, Henry Omoile.
Omoile also pleaded not guilty to all counts.
However, Emefiele and Omoile asked the court for bail pending the hearing and determination of the proceedings.
The former CBN asked the court to grant him bail on self-recognizance.
In the alternative, Emefiele asked the court to release him to his counsel pending the determination of the case.
“For nine years, Emefiele was the number one banker in Nigeria”.
“Emefiele has been granted bail by Justice Muazu and has been attending his trial at the FCT High Court. Since that bail was granted, he has never missed his hearing dates and the prosecution is almost rounding up its case. The defendant has always religiously presented himself in court to answer the allegations against him,” the counsel said.
“Last week Thursday, the EFCC called him to say that two charges have been filed against him and he has presented himself again in court today to answer to the charge against him. He is not a flight risk,” Emefiele lawyer said.
He also noted that the former CBN Governor may be arraigned on another set of fresh counts in Abuja next week.
Details later.