The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has approved the request of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to travel outside Abuja. Emefiele, through his legal representative, Mathew Bukka, SAN, sought a variation of the conditions outlined in his bail terms.
Back on November 22, 2023, Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court granted Emefiele bail amounting to N300 million, requiring two sureties with landed property in the Maitama District of the FCT. The court, at that time, prohibited the former CBN governor from leaving the court’s jurisdiction and mandated him to deposit all his travel documents with the court.
During the recent court proceedings, Bukka appealed to the court to lift the travel restriction based on the assurances that Emefiele would not evade bail.
Bukka emphasized that the defendant’s travel documents were already in the court’s possession and highlighted Emefiele’s stature, asserting that there was no intention to violate bail conditions.
Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), did not raise objections. Oyedepo, however, suggested an additional precautionary measure. He proposed that Emefiele provide a written undertaking confirming his commitment to stay in Nigeria throughout the trial, acknowledging the tendency of individuals to claim the loss of travel documents and then travel abroad.
In the ruling, the judge granted Emefiele’s application but underscored that the defendant must remain within the country until the conclusion of his trial. This decision reflects the court’s cautious approach, seeking to balance Emefiele’s request with the necessity of ensuring his presence throughout the legal proceedings.