Court Adjourns Suit Against Emefiele to March 20

By Adedapo Adesanya

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the summon of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, to March 20.

The embattled apex bank head was due to appear over a $53 million judgment debt arising from the Paris Club refund.

There was no reason given for the adjournment by the court.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja had summoned him on October 20, 2022, following an application for garnishee made by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Joe Agi, who is the judgment creditor.

The court granted the application and ordered Mr Emefiele to appear in court on Wednesday, January 18.

The dispute stemmed from an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas International Ltd for the lawyer’s (Joe Agi) assistance with the Paris Club refund.

Mr Emefiele was said to have only released $17 million, leaving an unpaid balance of $53 million.

The court had on January 23, 2020, ruled that Mr Emefiele must appear to be examined on oath touching the means he 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 he should not be committed to prison for default in payment of the said sum.

In October 2022, Mr Agi, through his counsels, Mr Isaac Ekpa and Mr Chinonso Obasi, filed another application against Linas International, the Minister of Finance, Mrs Zainab Ahmed and the CBN, seeking “an order directing the Inspector-General of Police to arrest Mr Emefiele and bring him to court alongside his lawyers: Damian Dodo, Audu Anuga, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), and Ginika Ezeoke, Jessica Iyoke, Abdullahi Afolayan, and Olayemi Afolayan.”