How Court foiled bid by DSS to obtain fresh detention order for Emefiele

Bid by the Department of State Services, DSS to obtain another order that will enable it to keep suspended Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele in its custody for a further 14 days was foiled by Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Thursday.

Emefiele, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum by the Federal High Court in Lagos State.

He was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the two counts bordering on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Emefiele is facing two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

However, the DSS had filed another the application to detain him for 14 more days on Wednesday which came up for hearing before Justice Muazu, the vacation judge today of FCT High Court today.

The secret police had in the application claimed that it wanted to keep Emefiele in its custody for 14 more days because it has uncovered fresh evidence against him.

However, lawyer to the DSS, Victor Ejelonu was forced to withdraw the application after Justice Muazu queried him on its appropriateness and issue of jurisdiction.

When the judge questioned Ejelonu, on the court’s jurisdiction in view of the provisions of Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which vests exclusive rights on the Magistrates’ Court to grant detention order, the counsel withdrew the prayer.

(NAN)

NEO/SH

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