The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday, filed a lawsuit against the Department of State Services, DSS, over his continued detention at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had suspended the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, with immediate effect, and appointed a replacement in the person of Folashodun Shonubi, the deputy governor in charge of operations directorate. A few hours later, Emefiele was taken into DSS custody.
In his originating motion on notice (an application that begins a legal proceeding), 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 hearing, however, counsel for the Attorney General of the Federation, Tijjani Ghazali SAN, and the DSS told the court that the detention of the suspended CBN governor is lawful because it 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.
The AGF also challenged the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, arguing that Emefiele ought to have sought that the court sets aside the order for his detention rather than seek the enforcement of rights.
However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, SAN, 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 his client, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The DSS, on its part, is also challenging the motion for bail filed by Emefiele.
After listening to the submissions made by parties in the case, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case till July 13, 2023, for the ruling.
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