The anticipated arraignment of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court faced a setback as a result of the ongoing strike by the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). The industrial action was initiated following an alleged assault on NLC President Joe Ajaero in Imo State on November 1, 2023.
The legal proceedings for Emefiele, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Nov 15, were disrupted due to the strike. The leadership of both unions, TUC and NLC, has been actively participating in the industrial action.
During previous court proceedings on November 9, the Counsel for the Attorney-General of the Federation, Oyin Koleoso, had requested Justice Olukayode Adeniyi not to release Emefiele on bail. Koleoso expressed concern about the potential for the arraignment to be stalled if Emefiele were released, stating, “Releasing him will pose further problems for the prosecution to get him to attend court for his arraignment.”
However, despite these concerns, Justice Adeniji granted bail to Emefiele, instructing that he be released and produced in court for the arraignment on Wednesday.
At the court premises, it was evident that no court proceedings took place, as court workers informed newsmen that the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria at the Federal Capital Territory High Court directed them to join the ongoing strike. Additionally, there was a noticeable absence of lawyers and litigants in the court premises during the time of this report.
The postponement of Emefiele’s arraignment underscores the impact of the ongoing labour strike on judicial activities, raising questions about the resumption of court proceedings amid the industrial action.
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