Court Adjourns Trial of Ex-Central Bank Governor Emefiele to January 2024, Remains in Kuje Prison

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja has postponed the trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, to January 18, 2024.

Emefiele, who is currently in the Kuje Correctional Centre, has been unable to meet the bail conditions set by Justice Muazu, which include a bail sum of N300 million and two sureties with certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the Maitama District. Additionally, he must deposit all his travel documents with the court registrar and remain within the Abuja Municipal Council.

Notably, Emefiele’s absence during the ruling on his bail application was explained by his lawyer, Mr Mathew Burkaa, citing his client’s confinement in the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The Federal High Court in Lagos had previously granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20 million four months ago, a gesture the Federal Government reportedly did not honor.

Emefiele faces a six-count charge, reduced from the original 20 counts amounting to N6.5 billion, accusing him of alleged procurement fraud. The charges involve the illegal acquisition of 43 vehicles between 2018 and 2020, valued at N1.2 billion, and the awarding of contracts for the procurement of Toyota vehicles. The former CBN Governor has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The trial, originally scheduled for Tuesday, has now been adjourned to January 18, 2024. Emefiele remains under legal scrutiny as the case unfolds.