The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Tuesday granted bail to the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele in his alleged gun possession trial.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo released Emefiele on a N20million bail bond with one surety in the like sum.
He adjourned till November 14 for commencement of trial.
The judge made the order following the banker’s arraignment and “not guilty” plea to a two-count charge filed against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice.
He rejected the argument by a Deputy Director of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Nkiru Jones-Nebo that Emefiele should not be released because he was a flight risk.
The judge ruled that the government failed to provide any fact to support its claim.
Emefiele, 61, had filed the application through his team of counsel led by Chief Joseph Daudu, SAN, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The application opposed the allegation that Emefiele was found in possessing of a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence on June 15 at No. 3b Ibru Close, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Federal Government maintained that the offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the CBN Governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which was contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
But Emefiele denied the charge.
