Court remands Emefiele over alleged $4.5 billion, N2.8 billion fraud, abuse of office
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Ikeja Special Offences Court remanded Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, on Monday for alleged abuse of office.
Mr Oshodi remanded the ex-CBN chief in EFCC custody.
His co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile, was remanded in Ikoyi prison custody, where he is currently held pending the determination of their bail application on April 11.
In his two bail applications, the defendants’ counsel, A. Labi-Lawal, had urged the court to grant the defendants bail on self-recognisance and liberal terms pending the determination of the case.
In his 31 affidavits, Mr Labi-Lawal said the first defendant (Mr Emefiele) had complied with the bail Justice Muazu granted him in his alleged fraud trial case in Abuja.
He said the charges were bailable offences and not a capital offence.
“Though the first defendant was granted administrative bail by the prosecuting authority. He is seeking bail based on self-recognition (sic), and he is ready to attend the court.
“The court should also take into consideration the status of the first defendant as he was the former CBN governor of the country,” he said.
The defence counsel said his client had religiously presented himself before Justice Muazu in Abuja to answer the allegations.
According to him, the first defendant was not at flight risk, as he was the first person to arrive in court.
He also prayed the court to release Mr Emefiele to a lawyer, pending the determination of the bail.
Mr Emefiele and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipt.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty following their arraignment.
The EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, did not oppose the bail application moved by the defence counsel.
Mr Oyedepo, however, urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously in granting bail to the defendants.
The prosecution had asked the court for a trial date following the defendants’ plea.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Ogun: Six dead, 20 injured in three road crashes, FRSC says
In a statement in Abeokuta, Florence Okpe, the spokesperson of FRSC in Ogun, said the three accidents happened in the early hours of the day.
World
EU mission repelled 11 Houthi attacks on Red Sea, foreign policy chief says
Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have been attacking maritime traffic in what they say is a response to Israeli military action in Gaza.
States
Ondo NSCDC deploys 800 personnel for Eid-el-Fitr celebration
The commandant sought the resident’s support to ensure the safety of lives and properties during the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
Agriculture
Ondo government distributes maize to livestock farmers
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said at the distribution centre in Akure, Ondo’s capital, that the aim was to mitigate the country’s escalating food prices.
Anti-Corruption
Court declines to relocate Binance executive Tigran Gambaryan from Kuje prison to EFCC custody
EFCC counsel E.E. Iheanacho countered his colleague, asserting there was nothing wrong in Mr Gambaryan’s detention in Kuje prison.
Kano
FRSC deploys 1,470 personnel for Eid-el-Fitr patrol in Kano
The FRSC sector commander said the personnel included 1,244 regular marshals and 236 special marshals on major routes.
