A contempt charge has been instituted against Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, over his alleged refusal to order payment of N182 billion to the Ogoni people.

The sum was awarded against Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) over the oil spillage caused by Ogoni land by the Dutch oil multinational.

The Rivers State indigenes, represented by Chief Lucious Nwosu (SAN), filed the case, praying the Federal High Court, Abuja, to commit the CBN governor to prison for allegedly disregarding the order of the court that awarded the money to them.

When the matter came up yesterday, Nwosu expressed displeasure over Emefiele’s absence in court.

He informed Justice Taiwo Taiwo that the charge against Emefiele was semi-criminal in nature and warranted his physical presence for an answer.

But lawyer to the defendant, Damian Dodo (SAN), told the court that it was not the habit of his client to undermine constituted authorities.

He, therefore, promised that Emefiele would do the needful at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, counsel to the oil company, Olawale Skoni (SAN), notified the court that he had filed a motion, seeking dismissal of the contempt charge, or alternatively, stay proceedings after taking arguments.

The presiding judge, while adjourning the matter till January 27, 2021, directed Emefiele and other parties to the suit to obey court before the next adjourned date.

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