The Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday granted the request of a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to travel out of Abuja.
Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Bukka, SAN had asked the court for a variation of the terms in his bail conditions.
Recall that on November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300m with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Muazu further stated that the sureties must have landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT.
Bukka said that the defendant’s traveling documents are with the court, adding that given the status of the defendant, he won’t jump bail.
The counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object.
He said, “From experience, we have seen cases where travel documents are with the court and the defendant will travel out of the country. What they usually do is to go to the immigration and depose an affidavit that their traveling documents are missing.
“So, in addition to his traveling documents being with the court, he should write an undertaking that the defendant will remain in Nigeria for the duration of his trial. I am not in any way suggesting the defendant will jump bail. ”
Ruling, the judge held that Emefiele must remain in the country pending the conclusion of his trial, adding that, The defendant’s application is hereby granted. He must remain in the country for the pendency of his trial. “
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