After spending 151 days in custody, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has been released on bail by a High Court in Abuja. The court, situated at Maitama, ordered his release despite objections from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, delivering the ruling, directed the release of Emefiele to his lawyers while requiring him to surrender all international travel documents. The judge emphasized the need to end detention without trial and cited a previous order for the release of the applicant.
The court highlighted the refusal of the EFCC to comply with the order and noted the speculative nature of the government’s claim of arraignment on November 15. Justice Adeniyi also pointed out discrepancies in a remand order presented by the government.
Emefiele, who had been detained for over five months, filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit. The court directed his release to a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and ordered the surrender of international documents pending his arraignment. Further proceedings in the case are scheduled for November 17.
Despite concerns about possible re-arrest, Emefiele left the court premises in a vehicle provided by his legal team. President Bola Tinubu had suspended Emefiele from office on June 9, leading to his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) at his Lagos residence. Charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as corruption, were pending against him, with proceedings temporarily halted for a plea bargain deal. Emefiele was transferred to the EFCC detention facility on October 26 by the DSS.
