Court turns down Emefiele’s bid to travel abroad for medicals

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama on Tuesday rejected an application by former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Godwin Emefiele to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical check-up.

Emefiele is facing a 20-count charge of procurement fraud, obtaining by pretence, and forgery.

Justice Hamza Muazu denied Emefiele’s request, stating that he failed to provide sufficient reasons for the medical trip and did not show that his ailment could not be treated in Nigeria.

“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application, and he is standing trial in three courts,” Justice Muazu said.

The prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, argued that Emefiele is a flight risk due to his connections with co-conspirators abroad and that there is no medical report showing that he is suffering from any particular ailment that cannot be treated in Nigeria.

Emefiele’s counsel, Hakeem Labi-Lawal, urged the court to grant his client’s request, stating that the defence arguments were speculative.

The court adjourned the case to October 21 for continuation of trial. Emefiele is also accused of forging a document titled “Re: Presidential Directive on Foreign Election Observer Missions” and using his office to confer unfair and corrupt advantage on two companies.