A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has again nullified the arrest, detention and interrogation of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, by the Department of State Services, DSS.
The order by Justice Bello Kawu, is coming barely 24 hours after a judgement delivered by another court in the FCT.
The trial Judge while granting the order in an originating motion on notice brought before the Court by Emefiele, held that the arrest, detention and interrogation are in violation of the subsisting judgement and orders of Justice Mohammed Hassan of the FCT High Court.
The defendants in the suit are the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership; Attorney-General of the Federation; Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC; Inspector-General of Police; Department of State Services, DSS and the CBN.
Emefiele had asked the court to set aside, quash, invalidate and nullify his arrest and detention for being illegal and a nullity in view of the subsisting judgement of High Court delivered on December 29, 2022.
Justice Kawu, while granting the exparte motion, also made an order setting aside, voiding, quashing, invalidating and nullifying any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the Respondents, especially the DSS for the arrest, detention and or interrogation of Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court since the date of the judgement by Justice M. A. Hassan.
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The Court also granted an injunction restraining the Respondents, particularly the DSS from arresting, detaining, further detaining, or proceeding against, breaching, or interfering with Emefiele’s personal liberty and freedom of movement or taking any other steps against him in connection with any allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court.
The Court granted an order of injunction directing and mandating the Respondents, particularly the DSS to forthwith release Emefiele from any arrest, detention, custody, interrogation with regard to allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court in view of the subsisting judgement by Justice Hassan.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
