Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, faced arraignment on Tuesday morning at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. He was charged with two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Emefiele appeared before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, the vacation judge, following over six weeks of detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
After significant legal challenges from Emefiele’s counsel regarding his prolonged detention, the DSS yielded to pressure on July 13, 2023, and announced the apex bank chief’s court charges.
On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, DSS operatives transported Emefiele to court in a hilux vehicle.
Before Justice Oweibo, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges filed by the Federal Government.
Joseph Daudu, the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), led the defense team for the suspended CBN Governor.
After the plea, Daudu informed the court that his client had been in detention for weeks and that a bail application had been filed and served on the prosecution.
Meanwhile, the DSS objected to the court hearing the bail application, claiming it had not been served.
Emefiele’s Troubles: President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele as the apex bank chief on June 9, 2023. The following day, the DSS confirmed Emefiele’s custody.
An Abuja High Court ordered on July 13, 2023, that the secret police charge Emefiele within one week or release him.
In compliance with the court order, the DSS stated that Emefiele had been charged to court.
The Federal Government subsequently filed two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against Emefiele at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
According to the charge sheet, Emefiele was accused of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license, a violation of Section 4 of the Firearms Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of possessing 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a license, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act.
Emefiele requested the court to grant him bail on self-recognizance, but a ruling on the matter is pending.
Suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele escorted into court.