EFCC Blocks Emefiele’s Request for Medical Treatment Abroad: “He’ll Be Tempted to Jump Bail”

EFCC Blocks Emefiele’s Request for Medical Treatment Abroad: “He’ll Be Tempted to Jump Bail”

  • Former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele has suffered a major setback regarding his request
  • The court fixed a date to rule on Emefiele's application for permission to travel abroad for medical treatment, but the EFCC filed a counter-affidavit, contesting the request
  • Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity for the EFCC, confirmed the development via a statement and shared further details

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has countered an application filed by the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, for the release of his international passport.

Emefiele faces another setback
The former CBN governor Godwin Emefiele has been hindered by the EFCC over his quest to get treatment abroad. Photo credit: CBN
Source: Facebook

Recall that Emefiele had requested permission from the FCT high court in Abuja to travel abroad for medical treatment.

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His lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, highlighted the pending application during Tuesday’s proceedings but did not disclose the specific destination.

EFCC blocks Emefiele’s request for medical trip abroad

But the EFCC on Monday, July 8, opposed Emefiele's application, The Punch reported.

In a counter-affidavit, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza, the prosecution counsel, told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing Emefiele’s ailment profile, Leadership reported.

Omeiza said there was no evidence to support the claim that Emefiele’s ailment could not be treated in Nigeria.

As reported by The Cable, Dele Oyewale, head of media and publicity for the EFCC, disclosed this on Monday, in Abuja via a statement.

“Omeiza further noted that Emefiele deposited his passport with the court as part of the fulfilment of his bail conditions, arguing that releasing it to him would amount to the court varying his bail conditions, “ the statement added.

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Oyewale noted that the EFCC’s lawyer also argued that Emefiele was a flight risk.

Emefiele loses N12bn property

Legit.ng earlier reported that the federal high court in Lagos ordered the permanent forfeiture of properties worth over N11.14 billion and N1.04 billion allegedly belonging to former CBN Governor Emefiele to the federal government.

The properties, located in upscale areas of Abuja, were suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The court's order was made following a motion filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Proofreading by Nkem Ikeke, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Esther Odili avatar

Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from NIJ, where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.