Court Orders Immediate Release Of Emefiele

By Akinwale Kasali

A High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, today, has ordered the immediate release of embattled and suspended former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele who has been in the custody of the Department of State Security, DSS for more than one month.

The ruling by the FCT High Court is coming barely 24 Hours after another FCT High Court ordered his immediate release from DSS Custody.

In a judgment upon an Originating Motion on Notice brought before the Court by Emefiele, against Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Inspector General of Police, State Security Service (SSS) and the Central Bank of Nigeria, the presiding Judge held that the arrest, detention and interrogation of Emefiele were in violation of the subsisting judgment and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan in Suit No. FCT/HC/GAR/CV/41/2022.

Emefiele through his Counsel, Peter Abang, had asked the court to set aside, quash, invalidate and nullify his arrest and detention.

In another prayer granted by Hon. Justice Bello Kawu, the Court made an order setting aside, voiding, quashing, invalidating and nullifying any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the Respondents, especially the DSS for the arrest, detention and/or interrogation of Mr. Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court since the date of the judgment of Justice M. A. Hassan.

The Court also granted an injunction restraining the Respondents, particularly the DSS from arresting, detaining, further detaining or proceeding against, breaching or interfering with Mr. Emefiele’s personal liberty and freedom of movement or taking any other steps against him in connection with any allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, round tripping, threat to national security before or from any court since the date of the judgment of Justice M. A. Hassan.