The Federal Capital Territory High Court has approved the request of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to travel outside Abuja. Emefiele, represented by his lawyer, Mathew Bukka, SAN, sought a variation in the terms of his bail conditions.
Originally, on November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu granted Emefiele bail amounting to N300 million with two sureties of equal sum, both required to possess landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT. The court additionally prohibited Emefiele from leaving the court’s jurisdiction and mandated him to surrender all travel documents.
During Thursday’s proceedings, Bukka urged the court to lift the travel restriction, assuring that Emefiele would not violate bail conditions. He emphasized that the defendant’s travel documents were already deposited with the court, and given his status, there was no risk of absconding.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object but suggested an undertaking be provided, ensuring Emefiele’s commitment to remaining in Nigeria throughout the trial.
In the ruling, the judge granted Emefiele’s application but reinforced the requirement for him to stay in the country until the conclusion of his trial.
