Former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Granted Travel Permission Amidst Expanded Charges

The High Court in Abuja has granted former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele permission to travel outside the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, though international travel remains restricted. This decision by Justice Hamza Muazu followed a request by Emefiele’s lawyer to amend the bail conditions, initially confining his movement to the FCT.

Notably, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), represented by Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object to the court’s decision.

Emefiele, in seeking the travel allowance, submitted an undertaking committing to remain within the country. Concurrently, the charges against him have been revised from six to 20 counts, encompassing allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, which had previously adjourned the alleged procurement fraud suit against Emefiele, reconvened on January 18, 2024.

Justice Hamza Muazu specified the bail conditions as a sum of N300 million and two sureties with certificates of occupancy and property titles within Abuja’s Maitama district. Emefiele met these conditions and was released from the Kuje Correctional Centre on December 22, 2024.