ABUJA – The embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has been granted a N300 million bail following his arraignment on a four-count charge of printing new naira notes without the necessary approval.
Mr. Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the allegation of approving the printing of N684.5 million at the rate of N18.96 billion when the charge was read. “I am innocent of these charges,” Emefiele stated during his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday before the presiding judge, Justice Maryann Anenih of the FCT High Court, Abuja.
Justice Anenih set the bail conditions, which include the production of two sureties who must each possess titled property within the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In addition, Emefiele has been ordered to deposit his travel documents with the court and is not permitted to travel outside the country without the court’s permission.
The judge also adopted the conditions attached to a similar bail earlier granted Emefiele by Justice Hamza Muazu, another judge of the High Court of the FCT, before whom he is being tried on another criminal case.
The case has been adjourned until May 28 for the commencement of the trial. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation watches closely, awaiting the outcome of this high-profile case.
