The Lagos State High Court on Monday ordered the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), after being arraigned for alleged abuse of office and irregular allocation of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion respectively.
Penpushing reports that Emefile’s co-defendant, Henry Omoile, was remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre, as both being held pending the determination of their bail application and commencement of trial on April 11, 2024
The duo, however, pleaded not guilty to the 26-count charge levelled against them, and during the proceedings, Emefiele’s lawyer, A. Labi-Lawal, had in his two bail applications urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognisance and liberal terms pending the determination of the case.
Penpushing further reports that the counsel in his 31 affidavits, said that the first defendant (Emefiele) had complied with the bail application, which was granted to him by a court in Abuja in a separate but related trial, arguing that the charges were bailable offences and not a capital offence.
‘Though the first defendant was granted administrative bail by the prosecuting authority, he is seeking bail based on self-recognisance and he is ready to attend the court. The court should also take into consideration the status of the first defendant as he is a former CBN governor of the country,” he said.
Penpushing also reports that Labi-Lawal explained that his client had religiously presented himself before Justice Muazu in Abuja to answer the allegations before him, emphasizing that he was not a flight risk.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail application moved by the defendant’s lawyer, however, urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously in granting bail to the defendants.
Penpushing reports that the judge having ruled that the accused persons should be remanded, thereafter adjourned the case till April 11, 2024 to rule on the bail application and the commencement of the trial.
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