Flash: Lawyers ‘defending democracy’ storm court for Emefiele

By Umeh Sandra

A group known as the Coalition of Nigerian Civil Society on Tuesday prayed a Federal High Court to allow it hold a watching brief in the arraignment of immediate past Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele charged with illegal possession of firearms

The group represented by five senior lawyers stormed the court and took their seats at the back saying they are lawyers in defence of democracy.

The court has granted them permission to watch

Emefiele was arraigned on two-counts bordering on illegal possession of firearms.

Count one of the charges reads, ‘That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act’.

Count two: ‘That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.’

The suspended CBN governor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.