Court dismisses Emefiele’s bid to get medicals in UK

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Tuesday dismissed a bid by the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Emefiele for criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his time as CBN governor.

The commission alleged that the defendant fraudulently obtained $6.2 million by forging a document titled: “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions,” dated January 26, 2023, with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201 and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (AGF).

He was also accused of using his office to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies – April 1616 Nigeria Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited.

In his ruling, Justice Muazu dismissed the application for lack of merit.

READ ALSO: Court orders seizure of $1.4m bribe money allegedly belonging to Emefiele

Muazu held that though the applicant said he would be away from July 28 to September 10, there was no medical appointment or invitation brought before the court.

He said the court had the discretion to grant leave but the applicant is standing trial in various charges in three courts of competent jurisdictions.

The judge said: “The letter of invitation for medical follow-up is not attached.

“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application and he is standing trial in three courts.

“The application is hereby dismissed and the adjourned date for continuation of the trial still stands.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now