A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to charge or release suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The judge allowed the DSS one week to either charge Emefiele in court or release him on bail if they have criminal allegations against him.
Justice Hamza Muazu issued the judgment on Thursday, following a motion by Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Daudu. Emefiele, through his counsel, sought N5 million in damages for his alleged wrongful imprisonment.
Justice Muazu concluded that the DSS has the authority to make arrests, hold people, and prevent internal criminality. However, he stated that these responsibilities must be carried out in accordance with the law.
The judge indicated unequivocally that the DSS’s arrest power is not boundless. There are rules governing when and for how long a Nigerian citizen can be detained. These elements must be completed for an arrest to be legal.
Emefiele has been detained since his arrest on June 9, when President Bola Tinubu suspended him and ordered an investigation into the apex bank.
The president requested that he delegate his duties to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, deputy governor, operations directorate.
