Court orders DSS to charge Emefiele within 7 days

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory, has ordered Department of State Services, (DSS) to charge the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Emefiele to court within one week from today or release him on administrative bail.

The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Hamza Muazu, held that Emefiele’s continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

Justice Muazu held that the Nigerian Constitution was founded on the rule of law which he said pre-supposed that everything must be done according to the law.

“Detention, no matter how small can amount to a breach of fundamental rights,” the court held, adding that since allegations against the embattled suspended CBN Governor contained bailable offences, the DSS ought to grant him administrative bail, pending his prosecution.

Nevertheless, the court, said that there was evidence before it to show that there was an order from an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court that permitted the security agency to detain Emefiele for a period of 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigations.

It held that Emefiele did not establish that his arrest, detention and investigation was unlawful since it was based on a valid court order.

Describing the DSS as a reputable institution mandated to guarantee internal security of the country, Justice Muazu, said it must conduct its operations with strict adherence to provisions of the Constitution.

“Though I am in sympathy with the Applicant (Emefiele), but my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.

“The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.

Mr Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Dawodu SAN, said the application for Mr Emefiele’s bail would be processed soon.

Recall that on June 10, Mr Emefiele was arrested in Lagos and flown to the DSS headquarters.

The embattled apex bank helmsman was taken into custody a day after he was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu.

The DSS had previously accused Mr Emefiele of terrorism financing – funding the activities of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, sabotaging the Nigerian economy, among other crimes.