Abuja, June 20, 2023 – Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has dragged the Federal Government and the Department of State Services (DSS) before an Abuja High Court challenging his detention.
Emefiele is praying for the court to enforce his right to liberty and freedom of movement as there is no basis for his continuous detention.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, the counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Tijjani Ghazali, informed the court that the first respondent was challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the case brought before it by the applicant.
He said the originating motion filed by Emefiele ought to have sought that the court set aside the order for his detention rather than seek enforcement of rights.
The DSS is also challenging the motion for bail filed by Mr Emefiele.
The AGF and the DSS insisted that the detention of the suspended CBN Governor is lawful.
In a preliminary objection filed against the fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by Emefiele, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the DSS told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the detention was backed by the order of a magistrates’ court and prayed for the court to dismiss the motion with cost.
They noted that the arrest of the former CBN governor was an administrative decision of the DSS.
However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, argued that the offences listed 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.
Consequently, the court fixed July 13 for the ruling on the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the case.
Listed as the first to third respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the State Security Service. (GBN)
