A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, dismissed an application filed by the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Emefiele with criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence when he served as the CBN Governor.
Among the allegations was that Emefiele forged a document titled, Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions’, dated January 26, 2023, and purported same to have emanated from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He was also accused of using his office as CBN Governor to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies – April 1616 Nigeria Limited and Architekon Nigeria Limited.
Emefiele in the amended charge was alleged to have, on February 8, 2023, knowingly obtained by false pretence $6,230,000 by falsely representing that the SGF requested the CBN to provide a contingent logistic advance in the sum of $6,230,000 “in line with Mr. President’s directive”.
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However, the presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, in a ruling on Tuesday, dismissed Emefiele’s application for medical treatment abroad.
Justice Muazu held that though Emefiele stated that he would be away from July 28 to September 10, there was no medical appointment or invitation brought before the court.
The judge noted that though the court has the discretion to grant leave, the applicant is standing trial in various charges in three courts – two in Abuja and one in Lagos.
He said: “The letter of invitation for medical follow-up is not attached.
“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application and he is standing trial in three courts.
“The application is hereby dismissed and the adjourned date for the continuation of trial still stands.”
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