Police operatives storm Emefiele’s residence ahead of court appearance

The alleged presence of a team of policemen at the Federal Capital Territory home of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had stirred controversy.

According to The PUNCH, over 10 armed police operatives were seen around 8.40pm, Tuesday, at the Maitama, Abuja home of the embattled governor of the apex bank.

The publication claimed that the presence of the policemen was in furtherance to Emefiele’s expected appearance at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday (today) over a $53m judgment debt arising from the Paris Club refund.

“The police officers are not there to arrest, but to ensure that he doesn’t run away again as he did weeks ago,” a source said.

While the presence of Policemen could not be independently tied to enhanced security for the CBN governor or to ensure he attended the court sitting as claimed, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory Police Command denied knowledge of the police presence.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said, “I have no knowledge of such an event. However, kindly contact the FCT command.” 

On her part, the FCT PPRO, Josephine Adeh, also said, “I don’t know anything about policemen surrounding the CBN governor’s home. You could contact the force headquarters.”

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Emefiele, has been asked to present himself before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, January 18, 2023.

The embattled economist was summoned to appear for a hearing over a suit seeking his arrest for alleged $53 million judgement debt arising from the Pars Club refunds, Naija News reports.

Naija News understands that the court judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, in an application dated October 20, 2022, ordered Emefiele to appear on January 18 as the hearing date for the matter.

The order followed the application by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Agi, against Linas International Ltd, the Minister of Finance and the CBN through his lawyers, Isaac Ekpa and Chinonso Obasi, seeking an order directing the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to arrest Emefiele and bring him to court alongside his lawyers: Damian Dodo, Audu Anuga, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and Ginika Ezeoke, Jessica Iyoke, Abdullahi Afolayan and Olayemi Afolayan.

The suit arose over an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas over the lawyer’s services in the Paris Club refund, which Emefiele was said to have released only $17 million, leaving an outstanding $53 million.

Far back on 23rd of January 2020, the court ruled that Emefiele must appear “to be examined on oath touching the means you have or have had, since the date of the said garnishee order absolute, to pay the balance of $53 million now due and payable under the said garnishee order absolute and also show cause why you should not be committed to prison for default in payment of the said sum.”

Subsequently, Emefiele faced a series of allegations, all seeking his removal as CBN governor. However, the apex bank governor is expected to appear before the federal high court in Abuja tomorrow to defend the initial suit.