The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till August 15, 2023, for the hearing of applications seeking to stop further prosecution of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and that of the Ministry of Justice seeking to appeal the bail granted him by the court.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo fixed the date to enable the defence to reply to the prosecution’s further counter affidavit, which was served on the defence in court just before the proceedings began.
Ruling on whether the applications are ripe for hearing, the judge held that, the application of the prosecution has been concluded and is ripe for hearing, but since the defense has not responded to the further counter affidavit served on them in court, it will be best for the applications to be taken jointly in one day.
Emefiele in a Motion dated August 7, is asking for an order prohibiting the complainant from further prosecuting him or seeking any form of indulgence before the court, inclusive of the application to grant leave to appeal against the order granting the appellant bail and other ancillary orders.
Emefiele was arraigned on July 25, before the court on two counts bordering on illegal possession of firearms.
But the defendant pleaded not guilty and was granted N20million bail with one surety in like sum.
On August 1, Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted Emefiele leave to serve the Director General, Department of State Services, Mr Yusuf Bichi, through substituted service, the order of the court admitting him to bail and directing his remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
RN
