The embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was not produced by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday, as required by the Federal Capital Territory’s sitting High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Recall that on November 2, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi issued an order to the anti-graft agency directing them to either unconditionally release Emefiele or bring him before the court to be granted bail.
However, Emefiele’s attorney, Mathew Burkaa, informed the court at the matter’s reopened procedure that the EFCC had disregarded the directive. He told the judge: “My lord, they have flouted both orders as today marks the 149th day of the Applicant being in custody. The Applicant is still in custody of the 3rd and 4th Respondents, up till this moment that we speak”.
On his part, the lawyer that represented the EFCC, Farouk Abdullahi, while confirming that the order was served on the Commission, said it was not true that Emefiele has been in the custody of the agency for over 100 days. Queried by the judge if the absence of the exhibit was sufficient reason for EFCC to disobey the order of the court, Farouk said they misunderstood the order.
Meanwhile, before he adjourned the matter till November 8, Justice Adeniyi reinstated the orders of the court. He ordered the EFCC to either release Emefiele unconditionally or in the alternative, produce him in court on the next adjourned date to be admitted to bail.
Emefiele, who has been in detention since June 9, approached the court to enforce his fundamental human rights. Aside from seeking his immediate release from EFCC custody, he is praying the court to award him damages to the tune of N5 million.
