CBN Governor, Emefiele Risks 2- year Jail in contempt charge over N182 billion judgment debt.
A contempt charge of two years imprisonment has been filled against the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele over his alleged refusal to order payment of N182 billion naira to Ogoni people as ordered by a law court.
The 182 billion naira was awarded against oil giant, Shell Petroleum over the devastating oil spillage caused the Ogoni land by the company.
The Ogonl people represented by Chief Lucious Nwosu SAN, filed the contempt charge praying the federal high court in Abuja to commit the CBN governor to prison for allegedly disregarding order of court that awarded the money to the aggrieved Ogoni people.
When the matter came upon on wednesday, counsel to the Ogoni people Lucious Nwosu SAN expressed disgust over the absence of the CBN governor in court .
The senior counsel informed Justice Taiwo Taiwo that the charge against Emefiele is quasi -criminal in nature and warranted his physical presence of Emefiele in court to answer the charge.
However Damian Dodo SAN, counsel to Emefiele, informed the court that it was not the habit of his client to underate the court of law and assured that Emefiele will do the need at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile Shelll Petroleum represented by Olawale Akoni SAN surprisingly appeared in the matter and informed the court that he had filed a motion praying the court to dismiss the contempt charge or in the alternative to stay proceedings.
After taking arguments,
Justice taiwo taiwo while adjourning the matter, till January 26th next year, directed the CBN governor and other parties to obey court, adding that the court expects Emefiele to obey the court on the adjourned date.