Fakoyejo OlalekanThe suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has pleaded not guilty in the illegal firearm case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Emefiele was arraigned on Tuesday, 25 July, in the Federal High Court on a two-count charge of illegal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of ammunition.
The shotgun and ammunition were reportedly found at his apartment located at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi area of Lagos, on 15 June 2023.
Recall that Emefiele was arrested on 9 June, a day after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from his position as the CBN governor.
Since his arrest, his first court appearance was on Tuesday, a week after the court ordered the DSS to release Emefiele or charge him to court.
During the hearing of the case, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the allegations filed against him before Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
He also filed for a bail application, through his counsel, Joseph B. Daudu, SAN. Although the Federal Government protested his application.
During the hearing, the government informed the court that it hasn’t received Emefiele’s bail application, but the court said there was evidence stating the contrary.
Daudu said the Attorney General of the Federation’s office has endorsed the bail application and Emefiele has met all the requirements for the bail.
The counsel asked that the bail should be granted to end the “oppression of his client by the Department of State Security” despite the government’s lawyer, a Deputy Director of Prosecution, N.B. Jones, stating that “As I stand here, I have not set eyes on it.”
Emefiele’s bail, which was filed on self-recognition, was granted by Justice Oweibo, who set the bail at N20 million.
Emefiele’s release from DSS detention will make him available for another lawsuit against him, which is the Paris Club refund case filed by legal practitioner, Joe Agi.
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