DSS’s request to keep Emefiele in custody longer is denied by the Court

A request by the Department of State Services for a “extended detention order” to hold Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in its custody for an additional 14 days, was denied by the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

Emefiele was taken into custody by the secret police on June 10 not long after President Bola Tinubu had suspended him

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The DSS brought him before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday after holding him for more than a month, where he was charged with two counts of illegal guns possession.

He was given bail by the court, which mandated that he be held at the Nigeria Correctional Service’s Ikoyi facility pending the completion of the bail conditions.

However, the DSS rearrested him after a confrontation with prison guards rather than allowing him to be brought to the penitentiary facility.

The lawsuit, with the case number FCT/HC/M/12105/2023, was filed in response to the rearrest, and the DSS asked the FCT High Court to issue an order allowing him to continue holding Emefiele.

The secret police claimed in the application that it had uncovered fresh evidence against the detained CBN Governor.

The DSS also prayed the court to allow it to hold Emefiele in custody for another 14 days, to give room for the conclusion of its ongoing investigation.

However, the court, in a ruling by Justice Hamza Muazu, declined the prayer, describing the suit as an abuse of the court process.

The judge, who said he lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter, noted that the provisions of granting such application lie with the magistrates’ court as stipulated under Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

The DSS’ counsel, Victor Ejelonu, however,  withdrew the matter after the judge raised questions on jurisdiction.