The Ooni of Ife has described the report of him visiting the embattled Godwin Emefiele at Kuje prison, as a cheap blackmail
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in a statement issued by his aide, said he was at the facility for an advocacy program
The monarch noted that the program was an initiative of Queen Temitope, one of his wives, in partnership with Kuje prison
FCT, Abuja – The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has explained the reason for his visit to the Kuje correctional facility (prison).
Ooni of Ife dispels rumors on his visit to Kuje prison
While reacting to speculations that he was at the prison to visit the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, the monarch said he was at the facility for a program.
In a chat with Vanguard on behalf of the monarch on Wednesday, December 6, his spokesperson, Moses Olafare, said:
“Oba Ogunwusi was at the correctional facility at the instance of a Non-Governmental Organisation, owned by one of his wives, Queen Temitope, Hopes Alive Initiative, HAI, which is on advocacy for the correction centre”.“Oba Ogunwusi was at the correctional facility at the instance of a Non-Governmental Organisation, owned by one of his wives, Queen Temitope, Hopes Alive Initiative, HAI, which is on advocacy for the correction centre”.
Recall that on Tuesday, it was reported that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, paid a visit to the embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, in Kuje Custodial Centre, Abuja.
The monarch was said to have joined the list of influential Nigerians seeking the release of the former apex bank chief, who has been behind bars for months, despite several court rulings ordering his release.
How ever, the Ooni denied the allegation saying that he was at the facility for his outreach programs with inmates aimed at helping them integrate back into the society upon their release and also to offer them support and assistance as part of humanitarian works.
This afforded him the opportunity to meet with the former CBN Governor. Following his discussion with Emefiele, the monarch was reported to have called for the release of the former CBN boss, who is behind bars for his inability to meet his N300 million bail condition. The monarch has also denied this report
Emefiele was last month arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on procurement fraud by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was accused of using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Sa’adatu Yaro, a staff of CBN, by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.
Prior to his arrest and arraignment by the EFCC, Emefiele had been in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) for over four months. However, when the DSS released him, he was rearrested by the EFCC.
Emefiele had pleaded not guilty to the amended charges and was later granted bail in the sum of N300 million as well as two sureties in like sum, both of which must have certificates of occupancy and titles of properties within the highbrow Maitama District of Abuja.
He was also mandated to deposit all his travel documents with the Registrar of the Court with a warning to remain within the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
The former CBN governor was unable to meet the bail conditions and is remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre until 2024.
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