The detained suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, will today, know his fate concerning the fundamental human rights suit he filed to challenge his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services.
Recall that on June 10, the DSS arrested the governor of the apex bank shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office and ordered a probe of the CBN.
Emefiele has filed a lawsuit alleging a violation of his human rights. The suit was filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, with Joseph Daudu (SAN) representing Emefiele as his lawyer. The respondents in the suit include the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the DSS itself. The respondents have filed preliminary objections, contesting the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case and requesting the dismissal of the suit.
During the June 20 proceeding, the DSS, represented by counsel I. Awo, informed Justice Hamza Muazu that Emefiele’s detention was lawful. The DSS had obtained an order from an FCT Chief Magistrates’ Court to keep Emefiele in custody until the investigation was concluded.
Tijjani Ghazali (SAN), counsel for the AGF, argued that Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS were administrative decisions of the executive branch of the government. He urged the court not to interfere in the matter.
However, Emefiele’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu, disagreed with the respondents, maintaining that the suit had merit.
Justice Muazu has adjourned the case until today to deliver a ruling on whether or not the court has jurisdiction to hear the case and consider Emefiele’s prayers.
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Sources: Punch paper
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