Efcc Defies Court Order, Fails To Produce Ex-cbn Governor Emefiele
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has failed to comply with a court order to release or present the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Emefiele, who was arrested by the EFCC after being released by the Department of State Services (DSS) in October, is challenging his detention and seeking bail from the court.
However, the EFCC did not produce him in court on Monday, November 6, 2023, despite an order by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, who is presiding over the case.
The EFCC claimed that it misunderstood the order of the court, which was issued on November 2, 2023, and directed the agency to release Emefiele unconditionally or bring him to court for the hearing of his motion on fundamental rights enforcement.
The court, however, rejected the EFCC’s excuse and reiterated its order for Emefiele’s unconditional release or appearance in court.
The court also adjourned the case till Wednesday, November 8, 2023, and asked Emefiele’s counsel to provide additional documents to support his motion.
Emefiele, who served as the CBN governor from 2014 to 2019, is facing allegations of corruption and money laundering by the EFCC, which accused him of diverting public funds and inflating contracts during his tenure.
He was initially detained by the DSS on October 27, 2023, after he was invited for questioning by the agency.
He was later released by the DSS on October 31, 2023, but was immediately re-arrested by the EFCC, which claimed to have a warrant for his arrest.
Emefiele has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the EFCC of witch-hunting and violating his rights.
He has also filed a suit against the EFCC, the DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation, seeking N50 billion as damages for his unlawful arrest and detention.
