BREAKING: Court Remands ex-CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
By Roselyn James
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has been arraigned on Monday for alleged abuse of authority.
Consequently, a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja remanded him to the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Emefiele, along with his co-defendant, Herry Omoile, pleaded not guilty to the 26-count charge alleging abuse of office brought against them by the EFCC.
Justice Rahman Oshodi issued the remand order pending the determination of Emefiele’s bail request on Thursday.
However, Omoile was remanded to the Nigerian Correctional Services.
Before the court’s decision, Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal, Emefiele’s attorney, sought his client’s release on bond self-recognition or lenient terms, requesting the court to apply the same conditions previously given by Justice Hamzat Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Rather than opposing the bail request, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, representing the EFCC, urged the judge to impose conditions ensuring the defendants’ appearance in court for trial.
Read Also: Nigeria Police Officers Emerge Best in US Response Training in Jordan
The defendants face allegations of receiving gifts through intermediaries, accepting gratuity, corruption, and forging false property receipts.
According to the EFCC prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, in a filing dated April 3rd, Emefiele is also charged with giving his accomplices a corrupt advantage, violating the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000.
Also, Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for engaging in dishonest financial transactions while in office.
