Audio By Carbonatix
A Nigerian court has granted bail to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who has been charged with six counts of fraud and corruption.
Emefiele, suspended as head of the central bank in June and arrested by the security services, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was granted bail by Justice Hamza Muazu on Wednesday subject to the provision of a 300 million naira (roughly $333,000) bond and two sureties with properties in the upscale Maitama district of the country’s capital Abuja.
“I hereby admit the applicant [Emefiele] to bail subject to his appearance in court,” Justice Muazu said in his ruling.
The judge asked Emefiele, 62, to deposit his travel documents with the court and remain in Abuja while the case against him proceeds.
The disgraced former bank chief, who made an unprecedented run for the Nigerian presidency last year, was one of the country’s most powerful people in the last decade. He was head of the bank for nine years, mostly under President Bola Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Emefiele oversaw a much-criticised system of multiple exchange rates used to keep the local naira currency artificially strong.
But then he fell out of favour with the government after Buhari’s exit and resigned in August, paving the way for Tinubu’s appointment of new central bank governor Olayemi Cardoso.
At his inauguration in May, Tinubu, who announced economic reforms, had said the central bank policy needed “thorough house-cleaning”.
Emefiele has since been accused of “conferring corrupt advantage”. Prosecutors cut the charges from a previous 20-count indictment, which he faced along with two others, so he could be tried separately and quickly.
He has not commented publicly on the case.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana Credit Excellence Awards 2026 to honour banking and financial sector trailblazers
3 minutes -
GCAA rejects GhATSEA allegations of unfair labour practices and intimidation
3 minutes -
Revenue performance improves but below target, expenditure lines also below target – BoG
10 minutes -
Rosenberg: Putin’s veiled threat to UK part of Russia’s campaign against West
10 minutes -
Let’s not take the law into our own hands – Central Regional Minister appeals after New Winneba attack
11 minutes -
‘It’s an unfortunate situation’ – Central Regional Minister mourns New Winneba victims
12 minutes -
HeFRA investigates woman’s death at Ridge Hospital, promises sanctions if negligence is established
16 minutes -
From 23.2% to 5.4%: World Bank recognises Ghana’s historic disinflation and the role of BoG’s Monetary Policy
28 minutes -
GRA Customs says travellers bringing more than two phones into Ghana will pay duty
36 minutes -
Average lending rate in Ghana falls from 27% to 15.6% — World Bank
38 minutes -
GAF opens 2026 commissioned officers enlistment; application vouchers go on sale September 3
52 minutes -
Education Minister engages Chinese Ambassador over Damongo University project
55 minutes -
Enterprise Group appoints Jacqueline Benyi as Group COO, Francis Yirenkyi as acting MD of Enterprise Life
1 hour -
Central Region NADMO activates security, humanitarian response following New Winneba fatal clash
1 hour -
Black Queens face Côte d’Ivoire as Ghana looks ahead after WAFCON quarter-final exit
1 hour