The Federal Capital Territory’s High Court set July 13 as the date for its decision over the enforcement of a fundamental rights lawsuit brought by Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s suspended governor.
After hearing the arguments provided by the parties in the case, Justice Hamza Muazu set the date.
The Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the State Security Service are listed as the first through third respondents in the lawsuit.
In the course of the proceedings, the AGF’s attorney, Tijjani Ghazali SAN, informed the court that the first respondent is contesting the court’s authority to hear the applicant’s case.
He claimed that the DSS’s decision to arrest and detain Emefiele was made administratively and that the applicant’s request for relief would define the DSS’s jurisdiction.
Additionally, he argued that the CBN chairman is being detained per the directive of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court, refuting the claim of wrongful detention.
he urged the court to dismiss the application.
The second and third respondents, who were represented by attorney I. Awo, argued that the application should be denied with costs because there was already a valid order of detention for the applicant.
However, Joseph Daudu, SAN, the attorney representing Emefiele, contended that the charges brought against Emefiele were state offenses that the FCT High Court could hear.
He argued that the court had the authority to hear the case, in contrast to the preliminary objection made by the respondents against the originating summons on notice.
On June 16, the court ordered Yusuf Bichi, the director general of the Department of State Services, to allow Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, access to his attorneys and family.
After being suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, Emefiele was taken into custody by the DSS.
The order was made on Friday by Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court, who further emphasized that Emefiele’s access to the area constituted a constitutional right.
The enrolled order, dated June 16, 2023, said that “The applicant’s attorneys shall have immediate access to the applicant. And frequently while reasonably awaiting the outcome of the application.
In his acquiescence
Following an application submitted by Emefiele’s attorney, J.B. Saudi, SAN, who informed the court that the DSS had not responded to earlier letters asking access to his client, the court issued the order.
The attorneys for the DSS and the Federal Government’s attorney general’s office both asked for an extension of time to file their reply to the original motion.
The request was granted, and the case was further postponed to Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for a hearing.