By Chisaa Okoye (Business Reporter)
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has insisted that Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) must appear before the court on July 19 in relation to a $ 53 million judgment debt arising from the Pars Club refund, which he (Emefiele) allegedly declined to pay.
The judge issued the order on Tuesday at the resumed hearing in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1193/2017 filed by Joe Agi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) against Linas International Ltd and others.
Justice Ekwo, had in October last year, ordered Emefiele 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.
At Tuesday’s proceesjngs, Justice Ekwo insisted that the court will not entertain Emefiele’s motion for a stay until he appears before the court.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Ayodele Arotiowa had told the court that Emefiele was yet to comply with the order directing his appearance.
But lawyer to the CBN Governor, Audu Anuga (SAN) noted that the court had not sat since the order was made.
“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 submitted.
Anuga said the CBN Governor filed an appeal on October 28 last year, and a motion for stay of execution of the order, pointing out that the affidavit of fact was filed to bring to the attention of the court that the appeal has been entered and given number.
The CBN’s counsel also informed the court of a pending application to set aside other orders earlier made by the court.
Responding, Justice Ekwo noted that Emefiele filed the appeal to frustrate the order directing his appearance.
“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 declared and adjourned the matter till July 19 for report.