BREAKING: Court Issues Order To DSS Over Detention Of Emefiele | READ DETAILS
Faith Ukanwa
Jul 13, 2023
BREAKING: Court Issues Order To DSS Over Detention Of Emefiele | READ DETAILS
A Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to either charge the suspended Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele to court within one week or release him.
READ ALSO: Nigeria wins U-21 Women's Volleyball Championship
Emefiele through his lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), had filed a fundamental human rights suit before the court challenging his arrest and continued detention by the Department of State Services.
READ ALSO: ABIA STATE DEBT HITS N62B, LAGOS N542B, RIVERS N225B, SEE OTHERS
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice Hamza Muazu, held that Emefiele's continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.
READ ALSO: INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
"Detention, no matter how small can amount to a breach of fundamental rights," the court held, adding that since allegations against the embattled suspended CBN Governor contained bailable offences, the DSS ought to grant him administrative bail, pending his prosecution.
READ ALSO: Baby Flogged To Death: Arise & Shine Isn't An Approved School - Delta Govt | READ DETAILS
Nevertheless, the court, said that there was evidence before it to show that there was an order from an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court that permitted the security agency to detain Emefiele for a period of 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigations.
READ ALSO: Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
It held that Emefiele did not establish that his arrest, detention and investigation was unlawful since it was based on a valid court order.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
Describing the DSS as a reputable institution mandated to guarantee internal security of the country, Justice Muazu, said it must conduct its operations with strict adherence to provisions of the Constitution.
READ ALSO: APC CRISIS DEEPENS: I Have Buhari's Blessing - Bello
"Though I am in sympathy with the Applicant (Emefiele), but my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.
READ ALSO: SH0CKING: Teachers Remanded For Defiling 5-Year-Old Pupil
"The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.
"However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The Applicant is entitled to fair hearing.
READ ALSO: How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
"At this point, the continued detention of the Applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him.
READ ALSO: How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
"At the very least, justice demands that Applicant should be released on administrative bail.
READ ALSO: 2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
"Consequently, I hereby male an order, directing the Respondents to within one week, charge the Applicant to court or release him on administrative bail," the court held.
READ ALSO: Nigeria wins U-21 Women's Volleyball Championship
Recall that shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended him, the DSS had on June 10 arrested Emefiele who has been in detention since then.
Related Stories
How Suspects Used Fake Alert to Acquire 75m Mercedes Benz GLE In Kano
How NDLEA Finally Captured Drug Kingpin Who Killed Three Officers After 12 Years on the Run
INEC Sued Over 'Missing' 55.9bn 2019 Election Funds
How NDLEA Uncovered a Massive Lekki Drug Lab and Arrested Its Saudi-Bound Owner | SEE PHOTOS
2 Billion Scandal: Inside Gavice Logistics, EFCC's Probe, and the Future of Its CEO
Popular Islamic Cleric Found Dead In Zamfara
""
— Faith Ukanwa