A contempt charge has been instituted against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, over his alleged refusal to order payment of 182 billion naira to the Ogoni people.

The 182 billion naira was awarded against the oil giant, Shell Petroleum over the oil spillage caused the Ogoni land by the company.

Counsel to the Ogoni people, Lucious Nwosu, filed the contempt charge asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to commit the CBN Governor to prison for allegedly disregarding the order of the court that awarded the money to the aggrieved Ogoni people.

When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, Nwosu expressed displeasure over the absence of the CBN Governor. He told the court that the charge against Emefiele is semi-criminal in nature and warranted his physical presence in court to answer the charge.

However, counsel to the CBN Governor, Damian Dodo, while opposing, said that it was not the habit of his client to underrate the court of law and assured that Emefiele will do the needful at the appropriate time.

Meanwhile, Shell Petroleum, represented by Olawale Akoni, 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 26, 2021, directed the CBN Governor and other parties to obey court order.