Court Orders Unconditional Release Of Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

An Abuja High Court, yesterday, issued an order for the unconditional release of Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Respondents in the suit are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of EFCC, and the EFCC.

Recall that Mr. Emefiele, who had been released by the Department for State Service (DSS) following multiple court orders for his release, was subsequently re-arrested by the EFCC.

Trial judge, Justice O. Adeniyi, while ruling on an exparte application by A. Labi-Lawal, counsel to Emefiele, said: “It is, hereby, ordered: Accordingly, the 3rd (AGF) and 4th (EFCC Chairman) respondents are, hereby, ordered to unconditionally release the applicant (Emefiele) from detention forthwith or, in the alternative, produce him in court on a date fixed for hearing of the substantive motion on notice for purpose of being admitted to bail by the court.

“Accordingly, it is hereby further ordered that the motion on notice shall be heard on November 6, 2023, by 1 p.m., prompt.

“The instant order, together with the motion on notice, shall be served on the respondents,” the court added.

Kanyi Daily recalls that Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), had been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).