An FCT High Court has refused an application by the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to be granted permission to travel to the United Kingdom for a medical checkup.
Justice Hamza Muazu on Tuesday ruled that Emefiele failed to provide sufficient materials to support his application for permission to travel.
Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bordering on procurement fraud during his tenure as CBN governor.
Emefiele had, through his counsel, Hakeem Labi-Lawal, requested the court to grant the release of his passport, which was deposited as part of his bail conditions to the court registrar to enable him travel overseas for medical checkup.
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Opposing the application, EFCC counsel, Mohammed Omeiza contended that there was no medical report showing that Emefiele was suffering from any ailment to warrant the grant of the application.
He also said Emefiele posed a flight risk due to his connections with co-conspirators abroad and ongoing trials in three different courts.
In his ruling, Justice Muazu held that Emefiele failed to attach any invitation from the UK for a medical check between July 28 and September 10.
The judge also said Emefiele could not establish that his ailment could not be treated in Nigeria.
The judge said although the court has the power to exercise its discretion, it might be difficult because Emefiele is standing trial in three different courts in FCT and Lagos for various charges.
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