INDEPENDENT
Suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has moved to block the Department of State Services (DSS) from prosecuting him on the charge of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition or any other offence.
He is also asking the court to release him from all charges brought by the government because it is in “brazen disobedience” of the court’s existing orders giving him bail on July 25, 2023.
Additionally, Emefiele requested a second order banning the Federal Government from receiving any sort of indulgence from the courts unless it complies with the bail judgement.
Represented by Joseph Daudu (SAN), the suspended CBN governor submitted an application to that effect before vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who had admitted him to bail following his arraignment.
The application was submitted in accordance with Section 6(6)(a) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), relevant portions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, and the court’s inherent authorities.
Emefiele asked Justice Oweibo to stay further proceedings in the current charge until he has exhausted all legal remedies to compel the government and the DSS to obey the court’s order admitting him to bail or remanding him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until he perfects his bail.
A member of the defence team, Victor Opara (SAN), verified that the application, which was filed on August 8, was served on the Federal Government on Wednesday.
The application aims to invoke the court’s jurisdiction to enforce its decisions in order to avoid being perceived as a toothless bulldog or paper tiger.
Furthermore, the petitioner claims that the procedure tries to safeguard and protect the court’s efficacy, majesty, and integrity, as well as the rule of law in our democracy.
Reports have it that the Federal Government asked the court for permission to appeal the ruling granting bail to the suspended CBN governor last week.
Justice Oweibo will hear the application today.
In the application filed on August 3 by a deputy director of public prosecutions of the federation, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, the Federal Government also asked the court to stay execution of the order remanding Emefiele in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service and to make an order remanding him instead in the custody of the DSS.
