The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele would be formally arraigned on Tuesday, July 25,2023 before the Federal High Court, Lagos, for alleged unlawful possession of firearm and ammunition.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who will be sitting as the vacation judge, fixed the date, days after the federal government filed a two-count charge of illegal procession of firearm and ammunition against the embattled former CBN governor.
The government in the charge filed on July 13, accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license.
One of his lawyers, Victor Opara (SAN), confirmed the development to judiciary correspondents on Friday, adding that hearing notices had been issued and sent out by the court to counsels to parties in the suit.
Count one of the charges against the suspended CBN governor who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 10 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.”