Court grants ex-CBN governor, Emefiele’s travel request

A Federal Capital Territory High Court has granted the former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele’s request to travel out of the FCT.

The court said Emefiele must, however, remain in the country.

On his bail terms, he was restricted to the FCT.

However, at Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, informed the Court that the defendant filed a motion dated January 10 seeking variation of the bail condition to enable him travel within the country.

He urged the court to vary the condition for his client

Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object to the application but rather urged the court to ensure that the defendant remains within the country while his trial lasts.

He further asked that the defence team write an undertaking that their client will remain in the country.

In a ruling on the application, Justice Muazu granted the request and ordered that Emefiele should remain within Nigeria for the period of his trial.

Meanwhile, Oyedepo informed the court that the prosecution, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had on Wednesday filed an amended charge against Emefiele and urged that the defendant be allowed to take his plea for the new charge.

Burkaa, however, told the court that the defence was served the new charge on Wednesday and needed time to study it.

Based on the development, the court adjourned sitting till January 19 for the new charge to be taken