Barely 24 hours after the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to charge the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele to court, within one week or release him, another High Court sitting in Abuja has voided the arrest and detention of the former CBN Governor, by the DSS.
The court made the order, following an Originating Motion on Notice brought before it by Emefiele, against Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Inspector General of Police, State Security Service (SSS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria
The embattled former CBN boss had in the suit filed through his Counsel, Peter Abang, prayed the court to set aside and nullify his (Emefiele) arrest and detention for being illegal and a nullity in view of the subsisting judgment by another court delivered on December, 29, 2022.
Delivering Judgement, Justice Bello Kawu declared that the arrest, detention and interrogation of Emefiele, is in violation of the subsisting judgment and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan.
Consequently, Justice Kawu made an order setting aside any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the respondents, particularly, the DSS for the arrest of Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, threat to national security before any court.
The Judge also granted an injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interfering with Mr. Emefiele’s personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The court also ordered the DSS to forthwith release Emefiele from any arrest or detention.