EMEFIELE RE ARRESTED BY DSS WITH A DIFFERENT CASE

 

Officials from the Department of State Services (DSS) have re-arrested the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. The DSS took Emefiele from court after overpowering officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to whom the former CBN governor had been handed over by the court.

This incident took place at the Federal High Court premises in Lagos after Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted Emefiele bail in the amount of N20 million. The judge ordered Emefiele to be remanded in the correctional center until he fulfills the bail conditions.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted him bail after considering the arguments put forward by Emefiele's counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN). The judge rejected the federal government's claim that Emefiele posed a flight risk, stating that the government failed to provide any supporting evidence.

Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition filed against him by the government.

When the DSS arrested the former CBN governor in June in Lagos, they transported him to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. Social media circulated a video showing DSS operatives arriving in Lagos in a white pick-up truck with Emefiele. The few seconds video ended after the former CBN governor boarded an aircraft resembling a private jet, which took him to Abuja.

However, the charge sheet indicates that the charges were filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The charges against him are as follows:

1. "That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license.

2. "That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a license.