Justice Hamza Muazu of the federal capital territory, FCT, high court in Maitama, Abuja has frowned at the absence in court yesterday of Godwin Emefiele, a former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
The embattled former CBN governor was due to appear in court on Thursday in the ongoing trial against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over corruption related allegations.
Emefiele is faced with a 20-count charge from the EFCC which include, alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud and conspiracy to commit a felony.
Recall that the sacked apex bank governor was granted bail earlier this year by the country which restrained him from traveling out of the country.
To ensure this, his international passport has been deposited with the court.
During the court sitting yesterday, Emefiele failed to appear before the judge, a situation that was not well received by the presiding Justice Muazu.
Emefiele’s lawyer I.D Ahmed said his client absence from the court was as a result of a letter served on his client by the EFCC counsel seeking for adjournment.
Justice Muaza responded that the excuse was not cogent enough for Emefiele not to attend the trial.
“Because you have a letter of adjournment from the prosecution does not mean the defendant should not be in court,” the judge said.
Emefiele was sacked in May last year by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
