The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has denied former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele's request to access his international passport so that he can travel to the United Kingdom for a follow-up medical check.

The legal team of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also opposed Emefiele's application to go to the United Kingdom beginning July 28 and returning on September 10, 2024.

The EFCC earlier informed the FCT High Court in March 2024 that Emefiele and nine other officials at the apex bank allegedly approved multi-billion naira contracts for his wife, Margaret; his brother-in-law; and an apex bank staff, Sa'adatu Ramallan Yaro.

Emefiele was brought before Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court on charges of illegal contract awarding.

The anti-graft agency stated that Yaro, a director at April 1616 Investment Ltd, was awarded various contracts by the CBN under Emefiele's supervision for the supply of over 45 Toyota Hilux vehicles ranging in price from N854, 700,000 to N99,900,000.

Emefiele's wife, Margaret, and his brother-in-law were directors and key shareholders in Architecom Nigeria Ltd, a company claimed to have been hired by the central bank for the renovation of the CBN governor's residence in Ikoyi, Lagos State. However, the former CBN governor denied all of the claims levelled against him.

The EFCC's counsel, Muhammad Abbas Omeiza, maintained that there was no medical report before the court to show that Emefiele was sick, adding that the troubled former CNB governor is facing cases at three separate courts.

Ruling on the application on Tuesday, Justice Muazu stated that it is a fact that the defendant is presumed innocent pending the conclusion of his case. He claimed, however, that Emefiele did not present a letter from a UK hospital outlining his medical challenges, among other things, to support the request.