A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has given the erstwhile Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, a deadline of January 25, 2024, to appear before the court with explanations on the circumstances surrounding the $53 million judgment debt arising from the Pars Club refund.
News About Nigeria reports that the order came on Tuesday when Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a short ruling, gave Emefiele another opportunity to appear in court in person, or an arrest warrant would be issued against the ex-CBN Governor.
Following the ruling, Emefiele’s counsel, Audu Anuga, SAN, pleaded that all efforts to ensure his client appeared in person on the order of the court were unsuccessful as he was still in custody.
Anuga further informed the court that an affidavit to show cause on why an arrest warrant should not be issued against Emefiele was filed on Oct. 30, explaining that efforts were made until Friday, Oct. 27, to ensure that Emefiele was released on the order of the court, but the order was not complied with, which necessitated the filing of the affidavit.
Justice Ekwo, however, insisted that the ex-Governor be present in court on the next adjourned day.
According to him, so much leniency and liberty have been allotted to Emefiele, but the situation has remained the same.
“I will adjourn the matter because the other side says they want to react to the process, so there is not much talk. The court’s order must be complied with, and even if no one complies with the court’s order, the court must comply with its order.
“I will give you sufficient time,” he said.
Justice Ekwo consequently adjourned the matter until January 25 for Emefiele to show cause why an arrest warrant should not be issued against him.
