The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has been dragged before the Federal High Court on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The charge was filed by the Federal Government, which accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun without a license.
The offence, according to the FG, contradicts Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004.
The embattled CBN governor was also accused of possessing 123 rounds of live ammunition without a license.
Although the case is yet to be assigned to a judge, there are indications it would be assigned next week.
Emefiele was arrested on June 10, 2023, a day after he was suspended by President Tinubu, and he is still being held in the custody of the DSS.
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A federal High Court in Abuja had faulted his continued detention and ordered the DSS to charge him to court within a week or release him.
The Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, issued the order while delivering a ruling in a fundamental human rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele.
The judge said Emefiele hasn’t shown that his arrest and investigation is unlawful, but noted that it is within his right to get a fair hearing.
Justice Muazu further stated that the suspended CBN governor can’t remain in detention without a formal charge, adding also that the DSS can’t use the period of Emefiele’s detention to search for evidence against him.
He held that the DSS has power to carry out its constitutional duties of making arrest, detain and ensuring prevention of internal crime but however said that such duties must be carried out within the law.
Emefiele had sued the Attorney General of the Federation AGF, Director General of the DSS, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity to human life.
In the suit, the suspended CBN Governor had applied that his arrest and detention since June 10 without valid order of court be voided and set aside.
Emefiele demanded a compensation of N5M as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.