Court Rules On Emefiele’s Case Today

The detained suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, will today, know his fate on the fundamental human rights suit he filed to challenge his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services.

Recall that on June 10, the DSS arrested the governor of the apex bank not too long 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.

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 stating that the suit be dismissed.

At the June 20 proceeding in the case, the DSS, via 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 till conclusion of investigation.

On the other hand, 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 told 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.