Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed a request by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical checkup.
Gatekeepers News reports that Emefiele’s application was opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecutes him on allegations of illegal contract awards.
Emefiele’s legal team had argued that their client needed to travel to the UK from July 28 to September 10, 2024, for a follow-up medical checkup, but the EFCC’s counsel, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza, countered that there was no medical report before the court showing that an ailment plagued Emefiele.
Omeiza also expressed concerns that Emefiele might jump bail, as he is facing cases in three different courts and has co-conspirators worldwide.
“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 said.
Justice Hamza Muazu, in his ruling, acknowledged that Emefiele is presumed innocent until proven guilty but noted that the former CBN Governor did not provide any evidence of his medical condition or a letter from the UK hospital inviting him for treatment.
“As it stands, I cannot exercise my discretion to allow the applicant travel outside Nigeria,” the judge held.
“The application fails and is hereby dismissed.”
