THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele’s request for the release of his passport to facilitate an overseas medical trip.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale in a statement, mentioned that the defense counsel, Labi-Lawal, had filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport for medical treatment in the United Kingdom, a request that was objected by the EFCC.
The defense and prosecution exchanged affidavits today as a continuation of their prior submissions on June 25, 2024.
Prosecution counsel Muhammad Abbas Omeiza argued in the counter-affidavit that there was no medical report presented to the court proving Emefiele’s medical condition necessitating treatment abroad.
Omeiza also highlighted that there was no evidence to show that the medical issue could not be addressed within Nigeria.
Emefiele had submitted his passport to the court as part of his bail conditions, and releasing it would alter the conditions.
The prosecution further raised concerns about Emefiele being a flight risk due to alleged accomplices abroad and facing trials in multiple courts.
In response, the defense counsel dismissed the prosecution’s claims as speculative and suggested issuing an international red alert for Emefiele to facilitate his arrest if he attempted to evade returning from the medical trip.
Justice Mu’azu after listening to both counsels, postponed the ruling on the passport release application to July 16, 2024.
