The planned arraignment of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, faced a setback at the Federal Capital Territory High Court due to the ongoing industrial strike initiated by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) at the Federal Capital Territory High Court branch.
JUSUN had instructed its members to participate in the industrial action called by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in response to the assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1, 2023.
A visit to the court on Wednesday by Channels Television’s correspondent revealed a locked gate, with no indication of lawyers entering or exiting the court premises.
Last week, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi granted bail to Emefiele, instructing his immediate release to his lawyers. The lawyers were tasked with presenting him in court for arraignment, scheduled for today (Wednesday), or any other subsequent day.
Emefiele’s Long Travails
Emefiele faced challenges when President Bola Tinubu suspended him from his position as the head of the central bank on June 9, 2023. The following day, the Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that the embattled and suspended CBN chief was in its custody
After numerous legal challenges mounted by Emefiele’s defense team contesting his prolonged detention by the DSS, the secret police succumbed to pressure on July 13, 2023, announcing that the suspended central bank chief had been formally charged.
DSS operatives transported Emefiele to a Lagos court on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, in a Hilux vehicle.
Appearing before Justice Oweibo, the 61-year-old Emefiele entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ to the two counts of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition brought against him by the Federal Government.
Subsequently, in August, the DSS dropped its charges against Emefiele. The embattled former bank chief was released by the secret police on October 26, the same day he was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The EFCC, unable to present Emefiele in court last Monday, complied with the court’s directive and brought the former CBN chief to court last Wednesday for the hearing of his bail application.
The judge had approved Emefiele’s bail last week, and the former CBN chief is scheduled to appear in court today to enter his plea.