The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
In Abuja’s Federal High Court, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been granted until January 25 to provide an explanation in court concerning the $53 million judgment debt linked to the Pars Club refund.
In a brief decision delivered on Tuesday, Justice Inyang Ekwo granted Emefiele a further chance to personally appear in court, or else a warrant for the former CBN governor’s arrest would be issued.
This situation unfolded after Emefiele and the Central Bank of Nigeria’s counsel, Audu Anuga, SAN, made a plea, explaining that their efforts to have Emefiele personally attend court, as per the court’s order, were unsuccessful due to his current custody.
Anuga informed the court that an affidavit had been filed on October 30 to provide reasons for not issuing an arrest warrant against Emefiele. Justice Ekwo then inquired whether I.A. Nnana, the attorney representing Joe Agi, SAN, the judgment creditor/applicant in the case, had been served with the affidavit.
Nnana replied that they were served on Monday, almost at the end of the working day, and expressed their intention to respond. The judge, while cautioning Anuga about the late submission of documents, reminded everyone that the case had been scheduled for July 19.
The experienced attorney, however, clarified that they had made every effort until Friday (October 27) to secure Emefiele’s release in compliance with the court’s order, but this order was not followed, leading to the affidavit’s filing.
Anuga further informed the court that since the parties had previously been exploring a settlement, and there was a new governor at the CBN, they should be given an opportunity to continue these settlement discussions. However, Justice Ekwo insisted that Emefiele must appear on the next scheduled date.
“As for the 4th respondent (Emefiele), I have always said, contempt proceedings follow a person whether the person Is still there or not.
“In this case, I have given this particular person so much liberty, so much leniency and the situation does not seem to change.
“I will adjourn the matter because the other side says they want to react to the process so there is no much talk.
“Order of court must be complied with and even if no one complies with the order of the court, the court must comply with its order.
“I will give you sufficient time,” he said.
As a result, the judge postponed the case to January 25, giving Emefiele an opportunity to provide reasons for not issuing an arrest warrant against him.