Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been granted bail after spending 151 days in the custody of the Federal Government’s security agencies. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) granted him bail, despite strong opposition from the Federal Government represented by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi, who granted the bail, based his decision on the fact that Emefiele had been held in government custody beyond the time stipulated by law. He also noted that the Federal Government had completed its investigation into the allegations against Emefiele as of August this year.
Justice Adeniyi emphasized the importance of justice and fair play, especially in accordance with Section 35 of Nigeria’s Constitution, and stressed the need to put an end to detention without trial by the federal government.
While the AGF and the Federal Government opposed Emefiele’s request for bail, arguing that he might interfere with the November 15 arraignment, they did not provide evidence of how such interference might occur. The EFCC also objected to bail, citing that Emefiele had not spent three months in its custody.
Emefiele will be released to his senior lawyer, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, who must produce him on the day the Federal Government chooses to arraign him. He is also required to deposit his traveling passport with the Registrar of the Court pending his formal arraignment.
