Paris Club refund: Court insists Emefiele must appear over $53m debt
A Federal High Court in Abuja has insisted that Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele must appear before it on July 19 in relation to a $ 53 million judgment debt arising from the Pars Club refund, which he allegedly declined to pay.
Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order on Tuesday at the resumed hearing in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1193/2017 filed by a lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN) against a firm, Linas International Ltd and others.
Justice Ekwo insisted that his court will not entertain Emefiele’s motion for a stay until he appears.
The judge had, on October 20 last year, ordered the CBN governor to appear in court on January 18 over his alleged refusal to obey the order of the court for the payment of the judgment debt to AGI.
No major development happened in the case until Tuesday when plaintiff’s lawyer, Ayodele Arotiowa told the court that Emefiele was yet to comply with the order directing his appearance.
Lawyer to the CBN Governor, Audu Anuga (SAN) noted that the court had not sat since the order was made. Anuga added: “There is an intervening circumstance, which we have brought to the attention of the court by filing of an affidavit of fact, which the judge demanded to know when it was filed.
Anuga said his client filed an appeal on October 28 last year, adding that aside from the appeal, he also filed a motion for stay.
He added that the affidavit of fact was filed to bring to the attention of the court that the appeal has been entered and given number.
Anuga said he also has a pending application to set aside other orders earlier made by the court.
Justice Ekwo noted that the appeal Emefiele filed was to frustrate the order directing his appearance.
The judge added: “That is exactly what you have done. So, we, the trial court cannot do our job? I am not going to hear you on any application until Mr Godwin Emefiele appears in court.
“Therefore, I am going to give a date for you to report to the court on the compliance with the order of the court.
“Upon being aware that the motion for stay of execution is a live matter in this court, this court shall not hear that application unless and until Mr Godwin Emefiele who has been ordered to appear in court appears in court,” Justice Ekwo said and adjourned till July 19 for report. Nation
