Court threatens to arrest suspended CBN boss, Godwin Emefiele over failure to explain $53m Paris Club refund

The Federal High Court in Abuja, has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest against the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, due to his failure to present himself in court for explanation of the circumstances surrounding the $53 million judgment debt arising from the Paris Club refund.

Justice Inyang Ekwo on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, ordered Emefiele to appear on the next adjourned date, saying he was minded to exercise restraint in the proceeding to give the suspended CBN boss an opportunity of explaining himself.

The development occurred following an intervention by the counsel to Emefiele, Audu Anuga, who requested the court to give his client another opportunity, due to the fact that they had been unable to reach him since the last order, directing him to appear in court.

Anuga told the court that Emefiele had been in detention since his suspension as CBN governor, adding that all efforts to reach him to communicate the directive of the court to him were proved abortive.

Justice Ekwo, on October 20, 2022, ordered Emefiele appear in court on January 18, 2023, over his alleged refusal to obey the order of the court for the payment of the judgement debt in favour of a legal practitioner, Joe Agi.

Agi had taken Emefiele, CBN, Linas International Ltd and Minister of Finance, to court following an application for garnishee made by him as judgement creditor in the case.