Court gives DSS one week to charge Emefiele or set him free

The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has given a one-week ultimatum to the Department of the State Security Service (DSS) to either charge the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to Court or set him free.

Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order while delivering a ruling in a fundamental human rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele.

According to Muazu, Emefiele has not shown that his arrest and investigation are unlawful, but noted that it is within his right to get a fair hearing.

The Judge further stated that Emefiele cannot remain in detention without a formal charge. He added that the DSS cannot use the period of Emefiele’s detention to search for evidence against him.

He held that the DSS has the power to carry out its constitutional duties of making arrests, detain, and ensuring prevention of internal crime but however, said that such duties must be carried out within the law.

Emefiele had sued the Attorney General of the Federation AGF, the Director General of the DSS, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity in human life.

In the suit, he had applied that his arrest and detention since June 10 without valid order of court be voided and set aside.

Also he demanded a compensation of N5million as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.

On 9th June, Emefiele was suspended as CBN governor and arrested in the early hours of June 10 at his Ikoyi, Lagos home.

Shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended him, the DSS arrested him and he has been in detention since then.