CBN Governor In Hot Seat! Faces Contempt Charges Over Supreme Court Judgment Snub More Details

The matter revolves around the release of funds previously forfeited in a legal dispute involving Melrose General Services Limited, a company linked to the controversial Paris Club refund saga.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed June 4, 2025, to hear an application brought by Melrose General Services Limited, which seeks to commit Cardoso, Salam-Alada, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Minister of Finance to prison for non-compliance with the court’s order.

Melrose, one of the consultants engaged by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in the Paris Club refund process, had its funds frozen following an EFCC investigation. However, in June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the company, overturning the interim forfeiture of ₦1.22 billion and ₦220 million, stating the EFCC failed to prove the funds were illicitly obtained.

The apex court ordered the release of ₦1,222,384,857.84 from Melrose’s bank account, as well as ₦220 million, which had been paid to Wasp Networks and Thebe Wellness as loans and investments.

Despite the ruling, Melrose claims it has only received ₦1.22 billion, with the ₦220 million still outstanding. Consequently, its lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), filed a contempt suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/532/2025) against Cardoso, Salam-Alada, the EFCC, and the Finance Minister, arguing that their failure to comply with the full judgment amounts to contempt of court.

On March 27, 2025, Justice Ekwo granted the company leave to serve contempt notices (Forms 48 and 49) on Cardoso and Salam-Alada, and directed the respondents to file their responses within seven days.

At the most recent hearing on April 10, 2025, Melrose’s counsel, Segun Fiki, informed the court that all parties—except the Ministry of Finance—had submitted their responses.

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