By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja has ordered the Department of States Services (DSS) to charge the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, to court or release him from detention within seven days.
The court gave the order on Thursday when it sat on the case on its jurisdiction to hear the suit filed by Emefiele challenging his arrest and detention by the DSS.
According to the court, the DSS should charge Emefiele to court within one week or release him on administrative bail.
Justice Hamza Muazu who gave the order, also held that the FCT High Court has original jurisdiction to preside over issues bordering on fundamental human rights.
Emefiele had sued the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Department of State Services, DSS for arresting and detaining him in a commando style, alleging the agencies were carrying out a political witch-hunt against him due to his “people-oriented financial policies which several political actors are not comfortable with and are now looking for any means to scandalize and smear his image and reputation.”
Emefiele sought for his release from the DSS facility through his fundamental rights application filed on his behalf by his lead counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN.
He urged the court to make a declaration that the arrest of suspended CBN governor without any charge against him or any order of court for his arrest constitutes violation of his fundamental rights.
He equally prayed for a declaration that the applicant is entitled to his liberty and freedom of movement as well as an order directing the immediate and unconditional release of Emefiele or in the alternative, grant him bail.
He also sought an order restraining the defendants from further detaining the applicant on the guise of committing any offense, adding that a N5 billion cost should be awarded against the defendants.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had on June 9 suspended the CBN governor from office, paving way for investigation into his tenure at the apex financial institution.
The CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, was subsequently directed by the president to step in, in acting capacity.
About 24 hours after his suspension, the DSS apprehended him at the Lagos airport and transferred him to its headquarters in Abuja.
