Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of an FCT High Court ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to either release the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, immediately or produce him in court on Nov. 6.

Mr Adeniyi gave the order after hearing an ex parte motion marked M/122/2023 in a Motion on Notice with the number FCT/HC/CV/040/2023, filed by Mr Emefiele. 

He was first detained in June when he was removed as CBN governor by the State Security Service (SSS) and later transferred to EFCC last week, seeking his release. 

Mr Emefiele, through his legal team, joined the federal government, attorney-general of the Federation (AGF), EFCC chairman, and the anti-corruption commission as respondents. 

In his ruling, the judge ordered the anti-graft agency to either release the plaintiff/applicant unconditionally or in the alternative produce him before the court next Monday when the Motion on Notice would be heard for the purpose of being admitted to bail. 

Mr Emefiele was scheduled to be arraigned by the federal government before Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court in Maitama on August 17 alongside two others, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro and a company, April1616 Investment Limited. 

They were to be arraigned on a 20-count charge bordering on procurement fraud amounting to N6.9 billion, conferment of advantage, and conspiracy. 

The arraignment could not hold, however, due to the absence of Yaro, who was said to be sick, and the matter was adjourned to August 23. 

Due to the plea bargain Mr Emefiele was said to be discussing with the federal government, the matter is yet to be heard till date.

(NAN)