The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has opposed an application by a former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for the release of his passport to facilitate an overseas medical trip.
Defence counsel, Abdulakeem Labi-Lawal, had filed an affidavit seeking the release of Emefiele’s passport to enable him to travel to the United Kingdom for medical treatments which was objected to by the EFCC.
Monday’s affidavit by the defence and the counter-affidavit by the prosecution was in furtherance of the ones made earlier on the matter on June 25, 2024, by both teams. A statement on Monday by the commission’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said the prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, in furtherance to the counter-affidavit, told the court that there was no medical report before the court showing that Emefiele was plagued by an ailment.He added that if there was, there was no evidence to support that it could not be treated locally in Nigeria.
Justice Hamza Mu’azu, after listening to both counsels, adjourned ruling on the application till July 16, 2024.