Court orders unconditional release of former CBN Governor Emefiele

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Yesterday, an Abuja High Court ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to unconditionally release Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

The suit’s respondents are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the EFCC, and the EFCC.

Recall that Emefiele, who was released by the Department for State Service, DSS, after several court orders for his release, was re-arrested by the EFCC.

Trial judge, Justice O. Adeniyi, while ruling on an exparte application by A. Labi-Lawal, counsel to Emefiele, said: “It is, hereby, ordered: Accordingly, the 3rd (AGF) and 4th (EFCC Chairman) respondents are, hereny, ordered to unconditionally release the applicant (Emefiele) from detention forthwith or, in the alternative, produce him in court on a date fixed for hearing of the substantive motion on notice for purpose of being admitted to bail by the court.

“Accordingly, it is hereby further ordered that the motion on notice shall be heard on November 6, 2023, by 1p.m., prompt.

“The instant order, together with the motion on notice, shall be served on the respondents,” the court added.