Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is seeking a variation of the bail granted to him by a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
Emefiele plans to approach the court for the variation of the bail conditions after he was unable to meet the requirements of the bail.
Emefiele was arraigned on November 17 on a five-count charge, marked: CR/577/2023, in which he is accused of “conferring corrupt advantage” contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
On November 22, Justice Hamza Muazu granted Emefiele bail at a sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT and present the property’s certificate of occupancy (C of O) in court for verification.
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Justice Muazu ordered that Emefiele not leave the court’s jurisdiction and must deposit all his travel documents with the court. He must always obtain the court’s permission before going outside the country.
However, Emefiele is still being held in Kuje correctional facility in Abuja as he has been unable to meet all the contractors attached to the bail.
His legal team is working to get him out before the week runs out and will ask the court for a variation regarding one of the bail conditions where he was restricted to the court’s jurisdiction.
At his last appearance in court on November 28, the former CBN governor was brought by heavily armed prison officials, who also took him away after proceedings.
The prosecution opened its case on that day by calling three witnesses, who were also cross-examined. Further trial in the case is scheduled to resume on January 18 next year.
