The planned arraignment of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, stalled at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, on Thursday.

Although Emefiele was present, the arraignment could not hold as the second defendant, Saadat Yaro, was absent.

Counsel to the Federal Government and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Mohammed Abubakar, told Justice Hamza Muazu that Mrs Saadat Yaro took ill in the morning, hence her absence.

Abubakar apologized to the court and applied for a new date for arraignment.

The request for adjournment was not opposed by Akinlolu Kehinde, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN, who stood for Emefiele.

Justice Muazu subsequently fixed August 23 for the arraignment.

Operatives of the Department of the State Service (DSS) who brought Emefiele to court under heavy security returned him to their custody.

Details later.