High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama on Tuesday denied former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Emefiele faces prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 20 amended charges, including procurement fraud, obtaining by false pretenses, and forgery during his tenure as governor of the apex bank.
Presiding over the case, Justice Hamza Muazu ruled that Emefiele did not provide sufficient evidence to justify the necessity and urgency of his medical trip. Despite Emefiele’s claim that he needed to be abroad from July 28 to September 10, he failed to present a copy of a medical appointment or invitation from the UK.
The judge noted that Emefiele could not demonstrate that his medical condition could not be treated in Nigeria. Although the court can exercise discretion, Justice Muazu deemed the request excessive given Emefiele’s ongoing trials in three different courts in the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos.
“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application, and he is standing trial in three courts. The application is hereby dismissed, and the adjourned date for continuation of trial still stands,” Justice Muazu declared.
During a previous hearing on July 8, EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, argued against Emefiele’s application, citing a lack of medical evidence and potential flight risk due to Emefiele’s connections abroad.
Emefiele’s counsel, Hakeem Labi-Lawal, requested the court to release his client’s passport, which was deposited as part of his bail conditions. He contended that an international red alert could ensure Emefiele’s return if he failed to comply after the medical trip.
Justice Muazu, after hearing both sides, had initially adjourned the ruling to Tuesday.
The charges against Emefiele include forging a document purported to originate from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and conferring unfair and corrupt advantages on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. He is also accused of obtaining $6,230,000.00 under false pretenses by misrepresenting a directive from the President.
The court has maintained the scheduled date for the continuation of Emefiele’s trial.
