The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, faced a setback today as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court dismissed his application to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatment.
Emefiele, who is currently facing charges including criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to obtain by false pretense, and obtaining money by false pretense, had sought the court’s permission to leave Nigeria for medical reasons. However, Justice Ahmed Muazu ruled against granting him permission due to several factors presented during the proceedings.
During the hearing, Emefiele’s legal team, led by Matthew Burkaa, SAN, argued that their client required medical attention abroad and provided proposed travel dates from July 28 to September 10. Despite this, the court noted that no medical appointment or invitation had been submitted as evidence.
Justice Muazu highlighted that although the court had discretionary powers to grant such requests, Emefiele’s situation was complicated by his ongoing trials in multiple courts, both in the FCT and Lagos. This, coupled with the absence of compelling medical documentation, influenced the court’s decision to deny the application.
The prosecution, represented by Muhammad Omeiza, contested Emefiele’s application on grounds that no verifiable medical report had been presented to justify treatment abroad that could not be obtained within Nigeria. Omeiza also raised concerns about Emefiele’s potential flight risk, citing his international connections and the seriousness of the charges he faces.
In response, Emefiele’s defense argued that the prosecution’s concerns were speculative and proposed measures such as an international red alert to ensure his client’s return after medical treatment.
The case underscores the complexities of balancing legal proceedings with personal health matters, particularly in high-profile cases involving senior public figures. Emefiele’s legal team may consider appealing the decision as they continue to navigate the legal challenges ahead.
As of now, Emefiele remains restricted from traveling abroad for medical purposes pending further developments in the ongoing legal proceedings.
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