Fakoyejo OlalekanSuspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, could flee the country if granted bail, the Department of State Services (DSS) told the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, 20 June.
DSS said Emefiele was detained in accordance with an order of a competent court on the grounds of criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage and other criminal offences.
Emefiele had requested bail and accused the DSS in a fundamental rights enforcement suit for refusing to allow him to see his family and friends. Recall that Emefiele was arrested on Saturday, 10 June 2023 by the DSS.
In response to the suit in a counter-affidavits, the DSS defended its stance to keep Emefiele in custody, stating further that his arrest was “upon reasonable suspicion of committing acts which constitute a criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security dimension and undermining the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the DSS said.
Also, in a separate statement filed with the court to defend Emefiele’s arrest, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation said the suspended CBN chief is a flight risk due to terrorism financing and fraudulent activities allegations against him.
“The respondents have not violated the applicant’s right to live in any way, his life is not in danger. The respondents did not subject the applicant to any judicial adjudication to warrant the allegation of denial of a fair hearing.
“With the remand order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the said violation of the applicant’s right to freedom of movement does not arise.
The respondents did not subject the applicant to any torture, the details of which have not been provided,” the Attorney General’s office said.
According to the AGF, Emefiele’s detention has nothing to do with the infamous naira redesign policy and his decision to delve into politics.
The legal counsel of the AGF, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tijani Gazal, argued against Emefiele’s suit, while he requested for dismissal and questioned the jurisdiction of the court in hearing the case.
Gazal stated that the FCT Chief Magistrates Court ordered Emefiele’s arrest, based on an administrative decision by an arm of the Executive arm of government.
He explained that the relief sought by an applicant determines the jurisdiction of a court. Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until July 13 for a ruling following Gazal’s argument and that of the applicant.
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