The revered Ooni of Ife, accompanied by his wife, Temitope, has been making visits to the Kuje Correctional Center, not for his own affairs, but to secure the release of five prison inmates.
However, recent reports have surfaced, revealing that the Ooni, during his visits, also sought the release of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Emefiele, who is currently held at the Kuje Prison.
Naija Update reported on the monarch’s charitable endeavor to secure the release of several inmates, emphasizing the traditional ruler’s commitment to contributing positively to the criminal justice system.
The Ooni of Ife’s benevolent actions underscore the broader societal responsibility that traditional leaders can assume in advocating for justice and rehabilitation.
Details emerging on Wednesday morning shed light on the Ooni’s additional mission to secure the release of Emefiele, who has been entangled in legal troubles.
The monarch reportedly visited Emefiele twice on Tuesday, once in the morning during a tour of the correctional center, and later in the day for further discussions with the former CBN governor.
While the specifics of their meetings remain undisclosed, reports suggest that the Ooni engaged in lengthy discussions with Emefiele.
The nature of the discussions and the potential outcomes are yet to be made public, leaving room for speculation and anticipation regarding the former CBN governor’s fate.
Emefiele’s legal woes began last month when he was arraigned on a six-count charge related to procurement fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges alleged that he used his position to confer an illicit advantage on a CBN staff member by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.
Prior to his arraignment, Emefiele spent over four months in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) before being rearrested by the EFCC.
Despite pleading not guilty to the amended charges, he found himself behind bars due to his inability to meet the N300 million bail conditions.
Emefiele’s bail conditions include a sum of N300 million, two sureties with certificates of occupancy and property titles within the Maitama district in Abuja, and the deposit of all travel documents with the Registrar of the Court. He is further warned to remain within the Abuja Municipal Council.
As Naija Update reports, the former CBN governor faces incarceration in the Kuje Correctional Facility until 2024 unless he can fulfill the stringent bail conditions.
The Ooni of Ife’s involvement adds a layer of intrigue to the unfolding saga, leaving the public curious about the potential impact of the traditional ruler’s interventions in Emefiele’s legal predicament.
