Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor Godwin Emefiele has entered a plea of not guilty to charges brought against him. He faced allegations of abuse of office and involvement in the allocation of billions of dollars, as he was arraigned at the Ikeja High Court.
The trial commenced at 9 am, with Justice Rahman Oshodi presiding over the proceedings. Emefiele, along with his co-defendant, Henry Omoile, faced a 26-count charge, to which they both pleaded not guilty.
Subsequently, the defendants sought bail pending the hearing and determination of the case. Emefiele specifically requested bail on self-recognizance or, alternatively, to be released to his counsel during the trial. His counsel, Lebi Lawal, emphasized Emefiele’s stature as a former top banker in Nigeria, spanning nine years.
Lawal highlighted Emefiele’s impeccable conduct since his arrest, noting his consistent attendance at trial hearings and cooperation with the judicial process. Despite facing previous bail conditions granted by Justice Muazu, Emefiele remained committed to attending court sessions and addressing the allegations against him.
Regarding the new charges filed by the EFCC, Emefiele promptly responded by presenting himself in court, demonstrating his willingness to cooperate with legal proceedings. Lawal argued that Emefiele posed no flight risk and urged the court to consider these factors in granting bail.
Additionally, Lawal mentioned the possibility of Emefiele facing fresh charges in Abuja the following week, emphasizing the ongoing legal challenges his client was navigating.
