The troubled CBN governor is pleading with the court to uphold his right to liberty and freedom of movement because there is no legal justification for his ongoing imprisonment.
Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) suspended governor, filed a complaint against his arrest with the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Emefiele asks the court to uphold his right to liberty and freedom of movement in his originating application on notice because there is no justification for his ongoing imprisonment.
The DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation have claimed that the suspended CBN Governor’s detention is legal, nevertheless.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the DSS informed the Federal Capital Territory High Court in a preliminary objection filed against the fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit brought by Emefiele that the detention was supported by an order of a magistrates’ court and prayed for the court to dismiss the motion with costs.
They pointed out that the former CBN governor’s arrest was a result of a DSS administrative decision.
The initial application submitted by Mr. Emefiele should have asked the court to strike aside the order for his detention rather than asking for the enforcement of his rights, therefore the AGF is also contesting the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
On its end, the DSS opposes Mr. Emefiele’s application for bail.
A decision in the matter will be made on July 13.
Emefiele was removed from his position as governor of the central bank on June 10 by President Bola Tinubu. The DSS revealed that it had taken possession of the troubled CBN Governor shortly after he was suspended.
The Federal Government had stated that the suspension was necessary to permit a “ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.”
