'Produce Emefiele or release him' - Court issues fresh threat to EFCC, to decide ex-CBN gov’s fate

The case of the embattled former governor of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has taken a fresh twist.

This is because the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has failed to produce the detained former CBN boss.

However, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the anti-graft agency to either produce Emefiele in court tomorrow, Wednesday, November 8, or r release him unconditionally, Daily Independent reported.

The order followed the refusal of the anti-graft agency to bring Emefiele to court on Monday, No­vember 6.

The court had on Thursday, November 2, made an order for the EFCC to re­lease the embattled former CBN governor on bail, an order which the agency allegedly ignored.

The EFCC blamed its inability to obey the order and produce Emefiele in court due to some alleged confusion in the inter­pretation of the court order.

However, Justice Adeniyi was surprised by the claim of the EFCC, and subsequently re­affirmed his order that Emefiele be either released on bail or be produced in court on Wednesday, to admit him to bail, This Day report added.

The Judge also warned that the consequences of flouting the or­der would be enforced in accor­dance with provisions of the law.

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has set a new deadline of January 25 for Godwin Emefiele to personally appear in court and provide an explanation regarding the $53 million judgment debt connected to the Paris Club refund.

Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled and cautioned that an arrest warrant could be issued if Emefiele fails to comply.

Emefiele and the CBN's counsel, Audu Anuga, had explained to the court that their efforts to have Emefiele appear in person had been unsuccessful due to his ongoing custody.