By Henry Ojelu
LAGOS—Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos, yesterday, remanded former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele in the custody of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following his arraignment for alleged abuse of office.
Justice Oshodi remanded Emefiele after he pleaded not guilty to 23-count charges of abuse of office, accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption and fraudulent property receipt to the tune of $4.8 billion and N2.8 billion.
The EFCC in the charge alleged that Emefiele abused the authority of his office as CBN Governor by allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”
Following their not guilty plea, EFCC prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, asked the court for a trial date.
But the defence counsel, Abdulakeem Labi- Lawal in two bail applications, urged the court to grant the first defendant bail on self recognition or in the alternative, on liberal terms pending hearing and determination on the case.
Labi-Lawal also moved bail application for the second defendant and also urged the court to grant him bail on liberal terms.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till April 11, 2024 for ruling on the bail application.
Source: Vanguard