EFCC opposes ex-CBN gov Emefiele’s request for passport release for UK medical trip

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has opposed a request from former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to release his passport for an overseas medical trip.

Defense counsel Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment, a move that the EFCC objected to.

Both the defense and prosecution presented their arguments in affidavits on Monday, building on earlier filings from June 25, 2024.

In a statement on Monday, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said that prosecution counsel Muhammad Omeiza argued there was no medical report indicating Emefiele needed treatment abroad. Omeiza also noted that if Emefiele were genuinely ill, there was no proof that he couldn’t be treated in Nigeria.

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“Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of his bail conditions, and releasing it would alter those conditions,” the statement added.

Oyewale also mentioned that the EFCC’s lawyer argued that Emefiele posed a flight risk. “The defendant has co-conspirators globally. One Anita and Tony, who are aides of the defendant, are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail as he is standing trial in three different courts,” Oyewale quoted Omeiza as saying.

In response, the defense dismissed the prosecution’s arguments as speculative, suggesting that an international red alert could be issued if Emefiele failed to return from his medical trip.

After hearing from both sides, the trial judge, Justice Hamza Mu’azu, adjourned the ruling on the application to July 16, 2024.

Emefiele faces trials in three separate cases before different judges. Before Justice Mu’azu, he is charged with procurement fraud, forgery of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, and other offenses. In another case before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, Emefiele is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion.

Additionally, he faces charges before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5 million notes at the cost of N18.96 billion.