The suspended Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was presented before a Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, amidst a flurry of events involving the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS).
After 46 days in the custody of the DSS, Mr. Emefiele was finally arraigned on charges of illegal possession of firearms. The court granted him bail in the sum of N20 million, a decision that sparked a heated scuffle between DSS operatives and NPS officials over custody of the defendant.
The courtroom drama escalated into a tense standoff as both agencies refused to back down. The Armed Squad Commander of the NPS was even manhandled during the fracas. The situation was eventually defused with the intervention of a senior female DSS official.
As per the charges, the Federal Government accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun and 123 rounds of live ammunition without a license. Despite pleading not guilty to the charges, the former CBN governor was granted bail, with strict conditions set by Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
Emefiele’s counsel, Chief Joseph Daudu, SAN, highlighted that his client had been detained by the DSS for over 46 days, requesting an end to the oppression. The prosecution, represented by Nkiru Jones-Nebo, opposed the bail application, arguing that Emefiele could be a flight risk and may use his influence to obstruct the trial.
After hearing the arguments, Justice Oweibo granted bail to Emefiele, ordering him to deposit his international passport with the court and have a surety with landed property of a specific level within the court’s jurisdiction.
However, after the adjournment, the DSS re-arrested Emefiele, further intensifying the tension outside the court. Legal experts, civil rights groups, and concerned citizens condemned the actions of the DSS, emphasizing the importance of respecting court orders and upholding the rule of law.
This series of events has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria and highlighted the need for collaboration and professionalism among government agencies.
