Detention: Suspended CBN Governor, Emefiele To Know Fate Today

By Sodiq Lawal

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal High Court, Abuja will today deliver judgement in a suit filed to challenge the arrest and detention of the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, by the Department of State Services.

Recall that on June 10, the DSS arrested the governor of the apex bank shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office and ordered a probe of the CBN.

In the suit, filed through his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, Emefiele is alleging a violation of his human rights.

Joined as respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation; the Director General of the DSS and the DSS, who have filed preliminary objections, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case and urging that the suit be dismissed.

At the June 20 proceeding in the case, the DSS, through its counsel, I. Awo, told Justice Hamza Muazu that Emefiele’s detention was lawful as the DSS had got an order of an FCT Chief Magistrates’Court to keep him in custody pending conclusion of investigation.

On his part, counsel for the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali (SAN), argued that Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS was an administrative decision of the executive arm of government and urged the court not to interfere.

However, Emefiele’s lawyer, Daudu, disagreed with them, insisting that the suit had merit.

Justice Muazu adjourned till today to rule on whether or not he has jurisdiction to hear the case and consider Emefiele’s prayers.