Breaking News: Former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele Remanded in EFCC Custody Over Abuse of Office

A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja on Monday remanded the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his arraignment for alleged abuse of office. Justice Rahman Oshodi made the remand order after Emefiele and his co-defendant, Herry Omoile, pleaded not guilty to a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office brought against them by the EFCC. Emefiele will remain in custody until Thursday when the Judge will determine his bail application. The judge, however, remanded Omoile in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal, urged the court to grant his client bail on self-recognition or, on the most liberal terms. The lawyer particularly requested that the court impose the same bail conditions earlier granted to the defendant by Justice Hamzat Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and that Emefiele be released to his lawyers pending the perfection of the bail terms. The EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not oppose the bail application but urged the judge to impose conditions that would compel the defendants to court for their trial.

The defendants are accused of accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipts. Emefiele is also accused of conferring a corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000 in the charge filed on April 3rd by the EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN. Emefiele is also being prosecuted by the EFCC at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja over allegations of fraudulent financial transactions during his time in office.