In Nigeria, the saga surrounding the alleged embezzlement of the former Central Bank governor continues… A court in Abuja has just ordered the federal government to pay 100,000 euros (100 million naira) in damages to Godwin Emefiele, the former head of the CBN (Central Bank), for illegal detention.
The Abuja High Court ruled that the prolonged detention of former Governor Godwin Emefiele was in “violation of his fundamental rights”.
The Nigerian federal government and the anti-corruption agency EFCC were ordered to pay 100,000 euros in compensation to the former head of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Godwin Emefiele had been arrested in June by the Nigerian intelligence services (DSS) and subsequently imprisoned without ever appearing in court.
He was finally released at the end of December on 300,000 euros in bail. On Monday, January 8, the Abuja High Court ruled that Godwin Emefiele could not be re-arrested without a proper warrant.
The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) immediately announced that it would appeal against this decision.
It denies any illegal arrest and asserts that the necessary documents were produced prior to the arrest of the former Governor of the Central Bank, who is the target of an extended investigation into fraud and embezzlement.