The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama declined a request on Tuesday from Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical check-up.
Emefiele faces prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on an amended 20-count charge related to procurement fraud, obtaining by pretense, and forgery during his tenure as governor of the apex bank.
During the latest hearing on the medical leave application, Justice Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, determined that Emefiele did not provide sufficient reasons to demonstrate that the medical trip was essential and unavoidable.
Justice Muazu, in a ruling, refused Emefiele’s request, stating that he did not provide the court with documentation of the medical appointment or invitation from the United Kingdom that purportedly invited him for a medical check-up, despite indicating his absence from July 28 to September 10.
The judge also noted that Emefiele failed to prove that his illness required treatment that was unavailable in Nigeria.
The judge acknowledged the court’s discretionary power but suggested that Emefiele’s request might be excessive, considering he is facing trials in three different courts in FCT and Lagos on multiple charges.
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“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application, and he is standing trial in three courts.
“The application is hereby dismissed, and the adjourned date for continuation of trial still stands,” Justice Muazu said.
