A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court dismissed an application filed by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, seeking permission to travel to the UK for medical treatment. Justice Hamza Muazu ruled against the request, stating that there was no medical appointment or invitation presented to the court.
Emefiele is facing multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence during his tenure as the CBN governor. One of the allegations involves forging a document purportedly from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, requesting a logistic advance of $6,230,000 in line with a presidential directive.
Emefiele’s application mentioned a travel period from July 28 to September 10, but the court found no supporting medical documentation. The prosecution argued that no medical report was provided to show an ailment requiring treatment abroad and that Emefiele posed a flight risk due to his connections abroad and ongoing trials in three different courts.
Justice Muazu emphasized that the lack of a medical invitation and the ongoing trials influenced the decision to deny the application. The adjourned date for the continuation of the trial remains unchanged.