The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has authorized the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to travel outside the FCT. However, the court ruled that he must remain within the country.
Justice Hamza Muazu, delivering the ruling on Thursday, specified that Emefiele, who was previously confined to the FCT as part of his bail conditions, can now travel outside the territory. Rotimi Oyedepo, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not oppose Emefiele’s request. Oyedepo urged the court to ensure that the former CBN governor provided a written undertaking to remain in the country if his travel request was granted.
Furthermore, the charges against Emefiele have been increased from six to 20. The amended charges now include criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
On December 24, 2023, the court had granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in a like sum. Following the fulfillment of his bail conditions by his legal team, Emefiele was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre.
The former CBN governor faces allegations of procurement fraud, specifically using his position to confer a corrupt advantage by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020 to Sa’adatu Yaro, an employee of the CBN.
