A Federal Hight Court at Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, varied the bail condition granted to the immediate past Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The court had in November granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N300 million with two sureties in like sum.
Then, Justice Hamza Muazu had ordered that each of the sureties must possess landed property worth N300 million within the court’s jurisdiction, with Certificate of Occupancy (C of O), which must be deposited with the court registrar, who will have to verify the property.
In addition, Emefiele was ordered to deposit his travel documents with the court and remain in Abuja during the period of the trial.
However, at Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to Emefiele, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, informed the Court that the defendant filed a motion dated January 10 seeking variation of the bail condition to enable him travel within the country.
He urged the court to vary the condition for his client.
Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, did not object to the application but rather urged the court to ensure that the defendant remains within the country while his trial lasts.
He further asked that the defence team to write an undertaking that their client will remain in the country.
In his ruling on the application, Justice Muazu granted the request and ordered that Emefiele should remain within Nigeria for the period of his trial.