In a landmark decision, the Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the unconditional and immediate release of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
The court’s decision came as a result of an ex-parte motion filed by Emefiele himself, seeking his release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) until the hearing and determination of the originating motion.
Justice O.A. Adeniyi presided over the case and, after careful consideration of the motion, issued the order for Emefiele’s release.
The respondents named by Emefiele in the motion were the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Executive Chairman of the EFCC, and the EFCC itself.
The order directed the Executive Chairman and the EFCC to unconditionally release Emefiele from detention without delay. Alternatively, they were instructed to produce him in court on the specified date for the hearing of the substantive motion on notice, with the possibility of being granted bail.
The court has scheduled the hearing of the substantive motion on notice for Monday, November 6, 2023.
