The High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has directed the detention of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, at the Kuje Correctional Centre until his bail request is decided.
Emefiele is facing trial for alleged procurement fraud, with the proceedings finally taking place on Friday after being delayed three times.
Initially facing 20 charges of procurement fraud amounting to N6.5 billion, the Federal Government reduced it to six charges totaling over N1 billion for his arraignment on Friday.
Despite Emefiele’s counsel seeking bail, the judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, deferred a bench ruling, stating the need to review cited authorities and examine the exhibits.
Emefiele was ordered to remain in Kuje prison until the bail application is determined, and the case is adjourned for a ruling on November 22 and trial commencement on November 28.
This remand order follows a previous release to his lawyers on November 8 after spending 151 days in detention, as ordered by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi.
