The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC ,faced criticism for failing to produce the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, before the High Court in Maitama, Abuja, as directed by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi on November 2.
Justice Adeniyi had ordered the EFCC to either unconditionally release Emefiele or present him in court to be granted bail. However, at the latest court session, Emefiele’s attorney, Mr. Mathew Burkaa, informed the court that the EFCC had disregarded the court’s order.
Recall that Crediblenews had reported that EFCC had arrested Emefiele following release from DSS.
The failure to comply with the court’s directive raised concerns about the agency’s actions and the treatment of Mr. Emefiele in this case.
The matter remains unresolved as both the defense and prosecution await further court decisions regarding Emefiele’s situation.
“My lord they have flouted both orders as today marks the 149th day of the Applicant being in custody.
“The Applicant is still in custody of the 3rd and 4th Respondents, up till this moment that we speak”, Burkaa said.
On his part, the lawyer that represented the EFCC, Mr Farouk Abdullahi, while confirming that the order was served on the Commission, said it was not true that Emefiele has been in the custody of the agency for over 100 days.
“My lord, I do confirm that we received the order. It is however not correct that the Applicant has been in custody of the 3rd and 4th Respondent for over 100 days.
“He has only been in custody of 3rd and 4th for only 7 days
“We got the processes and we intend to react to them to set the record straight.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to do so because the processes received by 3rd and 4th respondents were incomplete.
“We are not insinuating that it was deliberate, it may be inadvertent on the part of counsel for the Applicant.
“Certain exhibits they referred to, particularly exhibit E, were not attached”.
Queried by the judge if the absence of the exhibit was sufficient reason for EFCC to disobey the order of the court, Abdullahi said they misunderstood the order.
“My lord, we thought that the order was that we either release him unconditionally or bring him to the court so that his bail application will be heard.
“My lord, the 3rd Respondent is a law-abiding establishment that will never take orders of this court for granted”, the EFCC lawyer pleaded.
Judge Adeniyi restored the court’s orders in the interim before postponing the case until November 8.
He gave the EFCC two options: either unconditionally release Emefiele or have him appear in court the following postponed date to be granted bail.
Emefiele, who has been detained since June 9, filed a request with the court to uphold his basic human rights.
In addition to pleading for his quick release from EFCC custody, he is asking the court to grant him N5 million in damages.
Crediblenews.ng
