The ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, was formally brought to trial on corruption charges by the Federal Government last Friday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Emefiele, attired in a blue Guinea Brocade babaringa paired with a matching Hausa cap, was presented in court for arraignment by his lead counsel, Mathew Burkaa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in adherence to a court order.
Accused of providing corrupt benefits to a CBN staff member, Mrs. Saadat Ramalan Yaro, through the awarding of various contracts, the former head of the apex bank refuted the six-count charges. The legal team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rotimi Oyedepo, is prosecuting the defendant on behalf of the Federal Government.
As of the current report, a vigorous legal dispute is underway regarding the request for Emefiele’s bail pending his trial. Justice Hamza Muazu is expected to deliver a ruling on the bail petition.