A Nigerian court has ordered the release of former central bank governor Godwin Emefiele from detention or his production in court for a scheduled hearing on Monday. Emefiele has been in detention since June 10 on charges of procurement fraud. His trial has been stalled since August 23 when the Department of State Services failed to present him in court despite being granted bail by another judge. Emefiele has not made any public comments regarding the charges against him.
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi ruled in the hearing in Abuja, stating that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Attorney General of the Federation failed to justify Emefiele’s detention, which violated his rights. Adeniyi ordered for Emefiele’s unconditional release or, alternatively, his production in court on the date fixed for the hearing.
On July 25, Emefiele was rearrested by DSS officers on the court premises immediately after a federal judge had granted him bail in relation to firearms charges, which he denied. A new 20-count indictment of unlawful procurement was later filed against him on August 15, but he has been unable to appear in court to enter a plea.
Emefiele was initially suspended by President Bola Tinubu on June 9 and was arrested by the DSS the following day. He subsequently resigned in August, leading to the appointment of Olayemi Cardoso as the new central bank governor in September.
Reporting by Camilus Eboh; Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Alison Williams
