EFCC opposes Emefiele’s request for overseas medical trip

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, July 8, opposed the application of a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele for the release of his passport to enable him to make an overseas medical trip.

The agency’s spokesman Dele Oyewale said the defence counsel Labi-Lawal had filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatments which was objected to by the EFCC. 

Monday’s affidavit by the defence and the counter-affidavit by the prosecution was in furtherance of the ones made earlier on the matter on June 25, 2024, by both teams. 

Prosecution counsel Muhammad Abbas Omeiza in furtherance to the counter-affidavit told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment and that if there was, there was no evidence to support that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.

Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions. 

While also arguing that Emefiele was a flight risk, the prosecution counsel noted that “the defendant has co-conspirators all over the world. One Anita and Tony are all aides of the defendant who are currently in the UK. The defendant might be tempted to jump bail because he is standing trial in three different courts.” 

In response, the defence counsel dismissed the prosecution’s arguments as speculative, noting that the prosecution could issue an international red alert on the defendant to enable his arrest if he made the overseas medical trip and refused to come back. 

Justice Mu’azu, after listening to both counsels, adjourned ruling on the application till July 16, 2024.

The former CBN governor is facing trial in three separate cases before different judges. 

With Justice Mu’azu, he is being tried for procurement fraud, forgery of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, and other charges. 

Before Justice Rahman Oshodi at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, Emefiele is charged with alleged fraud involving $4.5 billion and N2.8bn.

Additionally, Emefiele appeared before Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court in Abuja for allegedly approving the printing of N684.5m notes at the cost of N18.96bn.