Seven days after bail, Emefiele still languishing in Kuje Prison

Seven days after being granted bail, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, remains in Kuje Prison in Abuja as he has not been able to meet the imposed bail conditions set by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

Justice Hamza Muazu granted Emefiele bail on November 22, requiring a sum of N300 million and two sureties with landed properties in the Maitama District of the Federal Capital Territory. However, Emefiele, who was initially in Kuje Prison on remand when the bail conditions were given, has not fully met the conditions, according to Justice Muazu’s order.

At the start of the trial on Tuesday, Emefiele was brought to court in a van by heavily armed security personnel from Kuje Prison, with the court premises being heavily guarded by armed security agents. Rotimi Oyedepo, the counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), confirmed that Emefiele has not fulfilled his bail conditions, and he remains in prison on remand.

Emefiele’s lawyer, Mathew Burkaa, also acknowledged that his client is still in prison, mentioning that efforts are being made to meet the bail conditions. The primary challenge is finding two sureties with landed properties in the Maitama District of Abuja. After Tuesday’s proceedings, Emefiele was returned to the prison.