The scheduled court appearance of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, faced a delay at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Thursday.
This is due to the absence of the first and second defendants who are said to be indisposed.
However, Emefiele was indeed in court today (Thursday).
The Federal Government’s legal representative and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, informed Justice Hamza Muazu that Mrs. Saadat Yaro, the second defendant, fell ill in the morning, resulting in her absence.
Abubakar apologized to the court and applied for a new date for arraignment.
Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) representing Emefiele, did not contest the application for adjournment.
After a request for postponement, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, rescheduled the proceedings to August 23, 2023.
Emefiele is set to face arraignment together with Sa’adatu Yaro, a female CBN employee, and her company, April1616 Investment Limited. They are facing 20 charges, including procurement fraud, conspiracy, and providing corrupt benefits to associates.
The troubled head of the central bank, who has been in custody since his suspension from office on June 9, 2023, stands accused of bestowing corrupt advantages upon Yaro, who holds a director position at April 1616 Investment Ltd.
Emefiele, who was escorted to the court by heavily armed Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, was subsequently taken back to their custody.