Justice Rahman Oshodi-led Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on Monday ordered the remand of Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank Bank (CBN) Governor, in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged abuse of office and $5.5 billion and N2.8 billion fraud.
Meanwhile, the judge ordered that Emefiele’s co-defendant, Henry Isioma-Omoile, be detained at Ikoyi Custodial Centre.
The defendants’ counsel, Mr A. Labi-Lawal, had, in his two bail applications, urged the court to grant the defendants bail on self-recognition and liberal terms pending the determination on the case, adding that the first defendant (Emefiele) had complied with the bail application which was given to him by Justice Muazu in his alleged fraud trial case going on in Abuja.
He said the charges were bailable offences and not a capital offence.
“Though the first defendant was granted administrative bail by the prosecuting authority. He is seeking for bail based on self-recognition, and he is ready to attend the court.”
“The court should also take into consideration the status of the first defendant as he was the former CBN governor of the country,” he said.
He also prayed the court to release Emefiele to a lawyer, pending the determination of the bail.
Emefiele and his co-defendant pleaded not guilty to the 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office, accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, and fraudulent property receipt.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty following their arraignment.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), did not oppose the bail application moved by the defence counsel.
Oyedepo, however, urged the court to exercise its discretion judiciously to grant the defendants bail.
The prosecution had asked the court for a trial date following the defendants’ plea.
NAN