The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has challenged the application by former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, for the release of his passport to enable an overseas medical trip.
The EFCC’s stance was revealed in a statement by spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Monday.
Emefiele’s defence counsel, Labi Lawal, had filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport so he could travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment. However, this request was contested by the EFCC.
Prosecution counsel Muhammad Abbas Omeiza argued that there was no medical report before the court indicating Emefiele’s ailment, nor evidence that it could not be treated in Nigeria.
Omeiza stated, “Monday’s affidavit by the defence and the counter-affidavit by the prosecution were in furtherance of the ones made earlier on the matter on June 25, 2024, by both teams.
“Prosecution counsel, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza, in furtherance to the counter-affidavit, told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment and that if there was, there was no evidence to support that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.
“Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions.”
The prosecution counsel, while arguing that Emefiele was a flight risk, noted: “The defendant has co-conspirators all over the world. Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts.”
In rebuttal, the defence counsel dismissed these claims as speculative and argued that an international red alert could be issued for Emefiele’s arrest if he failed to return from the medical trip.
Justice Mu’azu, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the ruling on the application until July 16, 2024.
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