In a significant court ruling, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Abuja High Court ordered the remand of former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele at the Kuje Correctional Centre until November 22. This decision followed his arraignment on six counts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), entailing allegations of procurement fraud amounting to N6.9 billion and conferring of undue advantage.
Emefiele’s legal journey began when the EFCC initially charged him, along with Mrs. Sa’adatu Yaro and a company named April 1616 Investment Limited, allegedly linked to Mrs. Yaro, for purported breaches of the Procurement Act related to vehicle purchases. However, complications arose during the arraignment due to reported health issues concerning Yaro, delaying the legal proceedings.
During the recent court session, Emefiele faced an amended charge where he stood as the sole defendant, reducing the initial 20 counts to six. Emefiele entered a plea of not guilty in response to these revised charges.
In parallel proceedings, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court in Maitama addressed Emefiele’s application for the enforcement of his rights. This separate hearing was adjourned until December 11 to allow Emefiele’s legal team time to review the counter affidavits provided by the respondents.
Emefiele’s legal counsel, J Usman, SAN, brought to the court’s attention their recent reception of the counter-affidavits, acknowledging the need to thoroughly assess these documents. Despite the delay due to this unforeseen development, Usman expressed regret to the court and the respondents for any inconvenience caused.
This recent legal saga finds Emefiele remanded until November 22, awaiting further court deliberations on his bail application while navigating the evolving details of the charges against him and the response to his application for rights enforcement.
