Court Denies Ex-Central Bank Governor's Medical Travel Request

A Nigerian court has denied former central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele's request to travel abroad for medical treatment. Emefiele, who is facing multiple charges including fraud and corruption, was deemed a flight risk by the court. His application was dismissed due to lack of medical documentation and ongoing trials in three other courts.

A Nigerian court on Tuesday denied a request by former central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele to travel abroad for treatment of an undisclosed ailment.

Emefiele, recently granted bail on fraud charges, faces additional allegations such as illegally printing new banknotes and withdrawing billions of naira without presidential approval. Despite requesting his passport back for medical travel to the UK, the court sided with prosecutor Muhammad Omeiza from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who labeled Emefiele a flight risk.

The EFCC filed new charges of misuse of authority, abuse of office, and corruption against Emefiele. Judge Hamza Muazu dismissed the application, citing lack of medical documentation and other ongoing legal trials. Emefiele remains the most high-profile official charged under President Bola Tinubu's administration and was suspended and arrested after resigning last August.