Paris Club mess: Again, court summons Emefiele, adjourns case 

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the federal high court in Abuja has again summoned Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over a $53 million judgment debt arising from the Pars Club refunds.

The presiding judge gave the order on October 20, 2022, following an application for garnishee made by Joe Agi, a senior advocate of Nigeria who is the judgment creditor.

The court granted the application and ordered Emefiele to appear in court on Wednesday, January 18.

But, at the court session Wednesday, the case was adjourned to March 20 by Justice Ekwo.

Although no reason was given for the adjournment, the dispute stemmed from an alleged $70 million judgment against Linas International Ltd for the lawyer’s (Joe Agi) assistance with the Paris Club refund.

Emefiele was said to have only released $17 million, leaving an unpaid balance of $53 million.

The court had on January 23, 2020, ruled that Emefiele must appear “to be examined on oath touching the means you have or have had, since the date of the said garnishee order absolute, to pay the balance of $53 million now due and payable under the said garnishee order absolute and also show cause why you should not be committed to prison for default in payment of the said sum”.