Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has approved the former Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele’s plea to travel outside the FCT, with the condition that he must stay within the country.
Emefiele’s bail terms, initially confined to the FCT, were amended based on his request, presented by his lawyer, Mathew Bukka, SAN.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) did not oppose the request but urged the court to secure Emefiele’s commitment to remaining in the country.
The charges against Emefiele were increased from 6 to 20, encompassing offences like criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit felony.
Emefiele, previously granted bail on December 24, 2023, with a sum of N300 million and two sureties, had his travel documents held by the court and was confined to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).
The trial related to his alleged involvement in the procurement of vehicles is ongoing before Justice Hamza Muazu.
Emefiele’s legal issues commenced last June when he was initially detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) following his suspension as the CBN governor by President Bola Tinubu.
“The public, particularly the Media, is enjoined to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this.”
After his arrest, Emefiele had approached the FCT High Court in Abuja, challenging his detention by the DSS.
While delivering ruling on the fundamental human right suit file by Emefiele, Justice Hamza Muazu had issued a one-week ultimatum to DSS to either charge him to Court or set him free.
