DSS ignores court order, rearrests Emefiele inside court

Despite an order by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, the Department of State Services, DSS, has returned the suspended governor of the Central Bank, CBN, Godwin Emefiele to custody.

Recall that the court had earlier granted bail to Emefiele after he pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge bordering on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo who granted the bail, ordered that Emefiele be remanded in prison until he fulfils his bail conditions.

However, officials of the secret police and their counterparts in the Nigerian Correctional Services were engaged in a physical fight over who would move Emefiele from the court.

A few minutes ago, officials of the DSS succeeded in taking the suspended governor of the apex bank away from the court.

Appearing before Justice Oweibo, Emefiele, 61, pleaded “not guilty” to the two counts of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition filed against him by the Federal Government.

READ ALSO: Drama in Court as DSS, warders’ clash over Emefiele’s custody

In his submissions, Emefiele’s lawyer, Daudu, urged the court to grant bail on self-recognizance or on other liberal terms, pending the hearing and determination of the trial.

He said, “There is no counter affidavit from the Federal Government opposing bail. Also, the defendant is a renowned banker and can only stay at his house, he can’t travel anywhere.”

However, counsel for the Federal Government, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, in an oral submission, opposed the bail application, insisting that the prosecution had not been given time to respond in line with the provisions of fair hearing enshrined in the constitution.

In his ruling on the bail application, Justice Oweibo said, “I find and hold that the prosecution has failed to establish why the defendant should not be granted bail.

President Bola Tinubu had suspended Emefiele as the apex bank chief on June 9, 2023.