In a recent development at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been granted bail in the sum of N50 million by a high court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Judge Rahmon Oshodi presided over the bail ruling on Friday, admitting Emefiele on bail with two sureties in like sum.
Emefiele is facing a trial in Lagos on a 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office, to which he had earlier pleaded not guilty. The charges were brought against him by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Previously remanded in the custody of the EFCC following his arraignment, Emefiele had remained behind bars until the recent bail grant.
While Emefiele’s lawyer, Abdulakeem Ladi-Lawal, urged the court to admit his client to bail, the EFCC did not oppose the application but urged the judge to impose conditions ensuring the defendants’ presence for trial.
Accusations against Emefiele and his co-defendant, Herry Omoile, include accepting gratification, gifts through agents, corruption, fraudulent property receipts, and conferring corrupt advantages on associates, as stated in the charge filed by EFCC Prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, on April 3rd. Omoile was remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services pending trial.
