In a development at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Monday, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, found himself remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his arraignment on charges of alleged abuse of office.
Justice Rahman Oshodi issued the remand order after Emefiele and his co-defendant, Herry Omoile, entered pleas of not guilty to a 26-count charge related to abuse of office brought against them by the EFCC.
Emefiele faced the prospect of remaining in custody until Thursday, pending the Judge’s decision on his bail application. Meanwhile, Omoile was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services.
Before the court’s ruling, Emefiele’s lawyer, Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal, had requested bail for his client, proposing self-recognition or the most lenient terms possible. He further sought the replication of bail conditions previously granted to Emefiele by Justice Hamzat Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, suggesting that Emefiele be released to his legal representatives while bail terms were finalized.
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While the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not contest the bail application, he urged the judge to set conditions ensuring the defendants’ appearance for trial.
The charges against Emefiele and his co-defendant include accepting gratification, receiving gifts through intermediaries, corruption, fraudulent property receipts, and providing corrupt benefits to associates, contravening the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000. These charges were filed on April 3rd by EFCC Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Additionally, Emefiele faces separate EFCC prosecution at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of fraudulent financial transactions during his tenure as CBN Governor, as reported by Vanguard.