Abuja, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed a request by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to have his passport released to travel abroad for medical treatment.
Emefiele’s counsel, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, had earlier filed an affidavit seeking the release of his passport so he could travel to the United Kingdom for medical care. However, the EFCC objected, citing concerns that such travel would interfere with Emefiele’s ongoing prosecution for alleged corruption.
In a counter-affidavit filed by the EFCC, the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, stated that the prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, argued there was no medical report before the court proving that Emefiele required treatment abroad. Omeiza added that even if such a report existed, there was no evidence that the ailment could not be treated in Nigeria.
“Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions,” Oyewale said in the statement.
The EFCC’s lawyer also contended that Emefiele was a flight risk. “The defendant has co-conspirators all over the world. One Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts,” Omeiza argued.
In response, Emefiele’s defence counsel dismissed the prosecution’s arguments as speculative. He noted that the prosecution could issue an international red alert to facilitate Emefiele’s arrest if he failed to return after his overseas medical trip.
After hearing both sides, the trial judge, Justice Hamza Mu’azu, adjourned ruling on the application until July 16, 2024.
Emefiele is facing trial in three separate cases. Before Justice Mu’azu, he is charged with procurement fraud, forgery of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, and other offenses. At the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, before Justice Rahman Oshodi, he faces charges involving alleged fraud amounting to $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. Additionally, Emefiele is being tried before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5 million notes at the cost of N18.96 billion.
