Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the FCT High Court has again ordered the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to either produce or release former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on Nov. 8.
Justice Adeniyi gave the first order on Friday after hearing an ex parte motion, on fundamental right marked M/122/2023 in a motion on Notice with the number, FCT/HC/CV/040/2023, filed by Emefiele.
When the court resumed hearing on Monday, the EFCC counsel, Farouk Abdullahai, told the court that the order was not understood, the applicant could not attach some documents to his affidavit, thereby not producing the former apex court governor in court.
Emefiele ‘s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, had earlier told the court that his client had been in detention of the Federal Government for 149 days, but promised that he would attach the omitted documents which among others were the charge.
Responding, EFCC’s counsel Abdullahi, said the applicant had only been in EFCC custody for seven days.
After listening to their submissions, Justice Adeniyi gave a reiterated order for the release of the applicant or to produce him for bail on Wednesday.
He further directed the applicant ‘s counsel to attach the documents omitted in support of their affidavit and serve parties.
He then adjourned the matter until Wednesday.
Emeifele was first detained from June, when he was removed as CBN Governor, by the Department of State Service (DSS) and later transferred to EFCC last week, seeking his release.
Emefiele, through his legal team, joined the Federal Government, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), EFCC chairman and the anti-corruption commission as respondents.
Meanwhile, Emefiele was to be arraigned by the Federal Government before Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court, Maitama, on August 17 alongside two others, Sa’adatu Ramallan Yaro and a company, April1616 Investment Limited.
The FG has slammed a 20-count charge on them bordering on procurement fraud of N6.9billion, conferment of advantage and conspiracy.
The arraignment failed to hold as Yaro, who was said to be sick, was absent and the matter was adjourned to August 23.
Emefiele was said to be discussing with the Federal Government on a plea bargain, which has not been heard till date.
