Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has dismissed a request from the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to travel abroad for a medical check-up.
In his ruling on Tuesday, Muazu stated that Emefiele failed to supply sufficient evidence to show that the medical trip was essential and unavoidable.
According to the judge, Emefiele claimed that he was invited to travel to the United Kingdom for medical attention yet could not tender a copy of the said invitation in court.
Furthermore, Justice Muazu held that Emefiele did not show that his ailment could not be attended to in Nigeria while noting that the latter is facing charges in three other courts.
“As it stands now, I cannot use my discretion to grant the application, especially since he is standing trial in three courts. The application is hereby dismissed, and the adjourned date for the continuation of the trial still stands,” he stated.
The prosecution counsel, Muhammad Omeiza, opposed the application, arguing that no medical report was presented to show that Emefiele was suffering from an ailment that couldn’t be treated in the country.
Omeiza also pointed out that Emefiele poses a flight risk due to links to co-conspirators abroad.