DSS clarifies Emefiele lawfully detained; he may be in for longer time before trial
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor who has been grinding his nose against the cells of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his suspension, is being detained on court order, the secret police has explained.
President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele indefinitely on June 9 and the DSS picked him up the following day over allegation of terrorism financing. He may be incarcerated for another four weeks even before his trial.
The DSS on Tuesday urged the Abuja Federal High Court to dismiss the fundamental rights lawsuit Emefiele filed through his lawyer, J.B. Daudu, to demand his freedom, alleging he is being detained unlawfully.
But DSS counsel I. Awo filed a preliminary objection to the suit, telling Justice Hamza Muazu that Emefiele’s detention is lawful as the DSS had got an order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court to keep him in custody pending conclusion of investigation.
Awo urged the court to dismiss the suit and award a fine against Emefiele, per reporting by The PUNCH.
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Allegations not spelt out
The DSS arrested Emefiele in Lagos on June 10 and while the allegations against him have not been spelt out, the DSS has “enjoined” the media “to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this.”
However, it is public knowledge that Emefiele’s trouble is partly connected with the naira redesign policy which led to a cash crisis before and during the general election held in February and March.
His suit listed as defendants the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director General of the DSS.
In response to it, the AGF office, through its lawyer, Tijjani Ghazali, SAN, filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
Ghazali at the proceedings on Tuesday told the court Emefiele’s arrest and detention was an administrative decision of the executive arm government.
He contended that Emefiele’s allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the DSS already got a court order to back it.
Ghazali urged the court to dismiss the suit.
Daudu countered that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case, saying the allegations listed against his client are state offences that can be entertained by the FCT High Court.
Muazu adjourned ruling on the case until July 13.