Court Denies Emefiele’s Request for Passport to Travel for Medical Check-Up

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has dismissed a request by former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to access his international passport for travel to the United Kingdom for a follow-up medical check-up.

Background of the Case

Earlier this year, in March 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) informed the court that Emefiele and nine other CBN officials were implicated in the alleged approval of multi-billion Naira contracts to Emefiele’s wife, Margaret, his brother-in-law, and CBN staff member Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro. The EFCC opposed Emefiele’s application to travel abroad.

Emefiele was arraigned before Justice Hamza Muazu over the alleged illegal award of contracts.

Specifically, Sa`adatu Ramallan Yaro, a director at April 1616 Investment Ltd, was allegedly awarded several contracts by the CBN for the supply of over 45 Toyota Hilux vehicles, with values ranging from N854,700,000 to N99,900,000.

Additionally, Emefiele’s wife and brother-in-law were directors and major shareholders at Architecom Nigeria Ltd, a company contracted by the CBN to renovate the CBN governor’s residence in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Emefiele denied the allegations and applied to the court for permission to travel to the UK from July 28 to September 10, 2024.

However, EFCC counsel Muhammad Abbas Omeiza argued that there was no medical report presented to the court proving that Emefiele had a medical condition.

Omeiza further highlighted that Emefiele is facing charges in three different courts and has co-conspirators abroad, which raises concerns about him potentially jumping bail.

Court’s Decision

Justice Muazu, ruling on the application, emphasized that while the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty, Emefiele did not provide any letter from a UK hospital confirming his medical condition.

Consequently, the judge stated, “As it stands, I cannot exercise my discretion to allow the applicant to travel outside Nigeria.”

He also noted that Emefiele is facing criminal charges in three different courts. The judge ruled, “The application fails and is hereby dismissed.”

Additional Information

Emefiele is facing a 20-count charge of alleged corrupt practices and forgery, brought by the EFCC. He pleaded not guilty, and the trial is ongoing.

Earlier this year, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, testified that former President Buhari did not approve $6.2 million for election observers.

An EFCC document analyst had also confirmed the forgery of signatures belonging to Buhari and Mustapha. Emefiele is concurrently undergoing criminal proceedings in two other courts in Lagos and Abuja.