Alex Enumah in Abuja
Justice Hamza Muazu of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in Maitama, Abuja on Thursday varied the bail condition granted former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele.
The court had in November 2023 granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum.
As part of conditions attached to the bail, Justice Muazu, who ordered Emefiele to deposit his travel documents with the court, said the former CBN boss must remain in Abuja during the period of the trial.
However, at Thursday’s proceedings, the counsel to Emefiele, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), informed the court that the defendant filed a motion dated January 10, seeking variation of the bail condition to enable him travel within the country.
He urged the court to vary the condition for his client.
Responding, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who represented the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said he was not opposed to the granting of the application, adding that the court should ensure that the defendant remains within the country while his trial lasts.
He further asked that the defence team write an undertaking that their client will remain in the country.
Subsequently, Justice Muazu granted the request and ordered that Emefiele should remain within Nigeria for the period of his trial.
Meanwhile, Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution, EFCC, had on Wednesday filed an amended charge against Emefiele and asked that the defendant be allowed to take his plea for the new charge.
Burkaa, however, told the court that the defence was served the new charge on Wednesday and needed time to study it.
The court accordingly adjourned sitting till January 19 for the new charge to be taken.
Emefiele was arraigned before the court November 17, 2023 on a six-count charge bordering on conferring advantage on a female staff member of CBN, contrary to the provision of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In the charge marked CR/577/2023, Emefiele was accused of using his position as CBN governor to award six different contracts to one Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero, a CBN staff member, between2018 and 2020 to the tune of N1,210,600,000.
The procurement contracts were awarded to April 16 Investment Ltd, in which the said Sa’adatu Ramalan Yero is a director.
Emefiele, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Details later…
