CBN: Emefiele sues DSS, court to rule on rights enforcement suit July 13

*Godwin Emefiele, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is praying for the court to enforce his fundamental right to liberty and freedom of movement, as there is no basis for his continuous detention

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Mr. Godwin Emefiele, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Tuesday, June 20, 2023, approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court, in Abuja, FCT, to challenge his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In his originating motion on notice, Emefiele is praying for the court to enforce his right to liberty and freedom of movement, as there is no basis for his continuous detention.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), as well as the DSS, however, has insisted that the detention of the suspended CBN Governor is lawful.

In a preliminary objection filed against the fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by Emefiele, the Attorney General of the Federation and the DSS told the Federal Capital Territory High Court that the detention was backed by the order of a magistrates’ court and prayed for the court to dismiss the motion with cost, Channels TV report said.

They noted that the arrest of the former CBN governor was an administrative decision of the DSS.

The AGF is also challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, as the originating motion filed by Mr. Emefiele ought to have sought that the court set aside the order for his detention rather than seek enforcement of rights.

The DSS, on its part, is also challenging the motion for bail filed by Mr Emefiele.

The case has been adjourned till July 13 for ruling.

It is recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, June 10, suspended Emefiele from his office as Governor of CBN.

Shortly after his suspension, the DSS announced that the embattled CBN Governor was in its custody.

The Federal Government had explained that the the suspension was to allow an “ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.”

The DSS official statement by the agency’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) also confirmed the CBN Chief is in its custody for “investigative reasons”.

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