Emefiele in November, 2023 was arraigned before the court on a six-count charge bordering on conferring advantage on a female staff member of CBN
By Kehinde Okeowo
Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the immediate past Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel out of the FCT.
TheNiche had earlier reported that Emefiele was arraigned before the court on November 17, 2023, on a six-count charge bordering on conferring advantage on a female staff member of CBN, contrary to the provision of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In the charge marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele was accused of using his position as CBN governor to award six different contracts to one Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a CBN staff member, between 2018 and 2020 to the tune of N1,210,600,000.
The court, however, granted the former CBN bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum after he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
He was ordered to deposit his travel documents with the court and remain in Abuja during the period of the trial.
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However, at Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, informed the Court that the defendant filed a motion dated January 10 seeking variation of the bail condition to enable him travel within the country.
He urged the court to vary the condition for his client.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object to the application but rather urged the court to ensure that the defendant remains within the country while his trial lasts.
He further asked that the defence team write an undertaking that their client will remain in the country.
In a ruling on the application, Justice Muazu granted the request and ordered that Emefiele should remain within Nigeria for the period of his trial.
The court also adjourned sitting till January 19.