The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to comply with the court’s directive to present ex-Central Bank governor Godwin Emefiele on Monday. The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja had instructed the commission to release Emefiele or bring him to court for a bail motion hearing.
However, at Monday’s session, Emefiele was not present, prompting his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, to accuse the EFCC of disregarding the court order.
He said, “They have flouted both orders as today marks the 149th day of the applicant being in custody.
“The applicant is still in the custody of the 3rd and 4th respondents, up till this moment that we speak.”
But in his response, the EFCC’s counsel, Mr Farouk Abdullahi, said although the order was served on the commission, not obeying was not a deliberate act.
According to him, certain exhibits referred to by the applicant, particularly Exhibit E, were not attached to the order.
The presiding judge, Justice Olusegun Adeniyi, adjourned the matter till November 8, restating his order that the EFCC should either release Emefiele unconditionally or in the alternative, produce him in court on the next adjourned date to be admitted to bail.
