The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, risks a two-year jail term over refusal to pay N182 billion judgement debt.
Jomog News Nigeria reports that the sum was awarded against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over the oil spillage caused by Ogoni land by the Dutch oil multinational.
The Ogoni people represented by Chief Lucious Nwosu SAN, filed the contempt charge praying the Federal High Court in Abuja to commit Emefiele to prison for allegedly disregarding order of court that awarded the money to the aggrieved Ogoni people.
When the matter came up yesterday, Nwosu expressed displeasure over Emefiele’s absence in court.
He informed Justice Taiwo Taiwo that the charge against Emefiele was semi-criminal in nature and warranted his physical presence for an answer.
But lawyer to the defendant, Damian Dodo (SAN), told the court that it was not the habit of his client to undermine constituted authorities.
He, therefore, promised that Emefiele would do the needful at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, counsel to the oil company, Olawale Skoni (SAN), notified the court that he had filed a motion, seeking dismissal of the contempt charge, or alternatively, stay proceedings after taking arguments.
The presiding judge, while adjourning the matter till January 27, 2021, directed Emefiele and other parties to the suit to obey court before the next adjourned date.
He informed Justice Taiwo Taiwo that the charge against Emefiele was semi-criminal in nature and warranted his physical presence for an answer.
But lawyer to the defendant, Damian Dodo (SAN), told the court that it was not the habit of his client to undermine constituted authorities.
He, therefore, promised that Emefiele would do the needful at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, counsel to the oil company, Olawale Skoni (SAN), notified the court that he had filed a motion, seeking dismissal of the contempt charge, or alternatively, stay proceedings after taking arguments.
Justice Taiwo, after listening to arguments, adjourned the matter till January 26, 2021.
The judge directed that Emefiele and all those involved in the matter should obey court order during the next adjourned date.
