CBN Governor faces contempt charge over 182 billion judgment debt

By Dansu Peter 

A contempt charge has been instituted against the governor of the ,Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, over his alleged refusal to order payment of 182 billion naira to Ogoni people.

The 182 billion naira was awarded against oil giant, she'll petroleum over the oil spillage caused the ogony land by the company.

The ogoni  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 ogony people.

When the matter came upon on wednesday, counsel to the ogony people lusious nwosu san, expressed displeasure over the absence of the CBN governor.

The senior counsel informed Justice Taiwo Taiwo that the charge against Emefiele is semi criminal in nature and warranted his physical presence 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 underated the court of law and assured that Emefiele will do the need at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile Shell petroleum represented by Olawale Akoni SAN, informed the court that he had filed a motion praying the court to dismissal the contempt charge or in the alternative to stay proceedings after taking arguments.

Justice tTaiwo Taiwo, while adjourning the matter, till January 27th 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.