Counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, argued that the offences listed by the DSS against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.
By Jeffrey Agbo
An FCT High Court on Tuesday fixed July 13 to rule on the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the case.
The respondents listed in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation (first respondent), the Director General of the Department of State Services (second respondent), and the DSS (third respondent).
During the proceedings, counsel for the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali, informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.
He said Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS are administrative decisions of an arm of the executive and that the jurisdiction is determined by the relief sought by an applicant.
Besides, he contended that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN boss is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.
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Consequently, he urged the court to dismiss the application.
On his part, the second and third respondents, represented by I. Awo, informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application with costs.
However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, argued that the offences listed by the DSS against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.
He contended that, contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
On June 16, the court ordered the DSS DG, Yusuf Bichi, to grant Emefiele access to his lawyers and family.
