JUST IN: Fresh trouble for Emefiele as Tinubu’s government files charges against him for illegal possession of firearm Godwin Emefiele , t...
JUST IN: Fresh trouble for Emefiele as Tinubu’s government files charges against him for illegal possession of firearm
Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is accused by the Federal Government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition on two counts. The case was filed before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, sources from Channels TV stated that the Federal Government accused Emefiele of illegally owning a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371).
According to the authorities, the offence is punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and is in violation of Section 4 of that Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of violating Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act by possessing 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence.
Although the case has not yet been assigned to a judge, there are signs that this will happen the following week.
Since June 10, Emefiele has been under the DSS's care. Dr. Peter Afunanya, the DSS's spokesman, had stated that it was for "investigative reasons".
In a statement on Thursday, Afunanya also revealed that the organisation has charged Emefiele to court in response to an Abuja High Court decision.
You, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, had one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) in your possession without a permit on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, according to charge number one. under doing this, you broke Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, which is against the law and is penalised under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
Count two: That on or around June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, engaged in an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under.
Another Federal High Court in Abuja, meantime, revoked Emefiele's arrest and custody by the DSS on Friday.
In his ruling, Justice Bello Kawu stated that Mister Emefiele's arrest, incarceration, and questioning were in contravention of Justice M. A. Hassan's earlier ruling and directives.
Through his attorney, Peter Abang, Mr. Emefiele sought the court to declare the applicant's arrest and imprisonment unconstitutional and invalid in light of the ongoing judgement from another court that was issued on December 29, 2022.
In addition, Justice Kawu issued an order setting aside any arrest warrants acquired or procured by the Respondents, particularly the DSS, for the arrest of Emefiele in connection with claims of financing for terrorism, engaging in fraud or money laundering, or posing a threat to the nation's security in any legal proceeding.
The court also issued an injunction prohibiting the respondents, in particular the DSS, from restricting Mr. Emefiele's freedom of movement and personal liberty by arresting, detaining, or otherwise interfering with him.
Finally, the court issued an order of injunction requiring and instructing the Respondents, particularly the DSS, to immediately free Mr. Emefiele from any arrest or detention.
