The Federal Capital Territory High Court has approved the request of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, allowing him to travel outside of Abuja.
Emefiele, represented by his lawyer, Mathew Bukka, SAN, sought a modification of the terms in his bail conditions. On November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court had granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties were required to possess landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT.
As an additional condition, Justice Muazu instructed the former CBN governor not to leave the court’s jurisdiction and directed him to deposit all his travel documents with the court.
During the recent proceedings, Bukka urged the court to consider his client’s request, assuring that Emefiele would comply with bail conditions even if the travel restriction was lifted.
Bukka emphasized that the defendant’s travel documents were already with the court and highlighted Emefiele’s standing, indicating he would not evade bail.
The counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not raise objections but suggested an additional safeguard.
Oyedepo proposed that, along with the court holding the travel documents, Emefiele should provide a written undertaking that he will remain in Nigeria throughout the trial.
In the ruling, the judge granted Emefiele’s application but stipulated that he must stay in the country until the conclusion of his trial.
The judge stated, “The defendant’s application is hereby granted. He must remain in the country for the pendency of his trial.”
