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 giants, Shell Petroleum over the oil spillage in Ogoniland caused 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 an order of court that awarded the money to the aggrieved Ogoni people.
When the matter came upon on Wednesday, counsel to the Ogoni people Nwosu, 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 to the charge.
However Damian Dodo SAN, counsel to Emefiele, informed the court that it was not the habit of his client to underate the court of law and assured that his client will do the needful 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 dismiss the contempt charge or in the alternative, to stay proceedings after taking arguments.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo while adjourning the matter till January 27 next year, directed the CBN governor and other parties to obey court orders, adding that the court expects Emefiele to obey its orders by the adjourned date.
