The arraignment of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Godwin Emefiele, fixed fir Thursday, suffered a setback at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.
The setback was not caused by Emefiele .
The second defendant, Mrs. Saadat Yaro was absent prompting the arraignment to be shifted until August 23.
Counsel to the Federal Government and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, told Justice Hamza Muazu that Mrs Saadat Yaro took ill in the morning; and, so she was unable to make it to court.
Abubakar apologised to the court and applied for a new date for arraignment.
The request for adjournment was not opposed by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who stood for Emefiele.
Justice Muazu subsequently fixed August 23 for the arraignment.
Operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS), who brought Emefiele to Court under a heavy security, returned him to their custody immediately after the proceedings.
Earlier before the court sat, Godwin Emefiele, upon arrival in Court, avoided cameras as he was seen lowering his head. It appeared he was making a call.
Emefiele, who has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest after President Bola Tinubu suspended him on June 9, had exchanged pleasantries with his team of lawyers in court.
When operatives of the secret police brought him to the court, journalists were not allowed to freely take pictures and capture him on camera as the defendant’s lawyers also shielded him.
Recall that the Federal Government had withdrawn the illegal possession of firearms charge that it filed against against him and filed fresh charges.
One of the counts against Emefiele is “conferring unlawful advantages”.
He was also accused of engaging in conspiracy and procurement fraud, among others.
Below is the video of Emefiele in court on Thursday:
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