Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been denied permission to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for a medical checkup by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama.
In his ruling, Presiding Judge Hamza Muazu stated that Emefiele’s application lacked sufficient evidence to justify the necessity and urgency of the medical trip.
Specifically, Emefiele failed to produce a copy of the alleged invitation for medical attention in the UK and did not demonstrate that his condition could not be treated in Nigeria.
This decision comes as Emefiele faces criminal charges in three other courts.
Emefiele is facing multiple counts of alleged fraud and abuse of office.
In an affidavit filed before the court, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, Emefiele’s counsel, sought the release of the former CBN governor’s passport to enable him to travel to the UK for medical treatment.
But the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opposed the application, claiming that Emefiele might be tempted to jump bail if granted.
