The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday defied a Federal Capital Territory High Court order from the previous Thursday, which had instructed them to either release or present the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, in court for a bail hearing.
However, during the court proceedings on Monday, Godwin Emefiele was notably absent, and his lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, accused the EFCC of failing to comply with the court’s directive.
He said, “They have flouted both orders as today marks the 149th day of the Applicant being in custody.
“The Applicant is still in the custody of the 3rd and 4th Respondents, up till this moment that we speak.”
In response, the EFCC’s legal representative, Farouk Abdullahi, acknowledged that the court order had been served to the commission.
However, he contested the claim that the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, had been held in their custody for more than 100 days.
He further stated that the failure to comply with the order was not an intentional action. According to him, the applicant’s assertion, specifically regarding exhibit E and certain exhibits, was not accompanied by the court order.
The presiding judge, Justice Olusegun Adeniyi, postponed the proceedings to November 8, reiterating his directive that the EFCC must either unconditionally release Godwin Emefiele or, as an alternative, bring him to court on the upcoming adjourned date for the consideration of bail.
