Court Sends Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele To Kuje Prison

The High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has ordered the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to be remanded in the Kuje Correctional Centre.

Godwin Emefiele, who is facing trial on charges related to alleged procurement fraud, was remanded in prison on Friday, November 17, while awaiting the decision on his bail application.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Government had brought forward 20 charges of procurement fraud amounting to N6.5 billion against the former CBN governor.

However, the charges were later reduced to six, totaling over N1 billion, during the arraignment on Friday.

During the proceedings, Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa SAN, presented the bail application, but the FG’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, strongly opposed granting bail to the former CBN governor.

Justice Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, mentioned that a bench ruling could not be delivered due to the extensive legal references provided by both parties.

The judge expressed the need to study the authorities cited and examine the exhibits submitted by Emefiele in support of his bail request.

Consequently, he ordered Emefiele’s remand in the Kuje prison until the determination of his bail application.

Justice Muazu adjourned the case until November 22 for a ruling on the bail application and November 28 for the commencement of the trial.

This remand order follows a previous directive by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on November 8, instructing that Godwin Emefiele be released to his lawyers after spending 151 days in detention.