The Federal Government prosecuted Emefiele on charges of illegal possession of arms Although the judge has not yet received the case, there ...
The Federal Government prosecuted Emefiele on charges of illegal possession of arms
Although the judge has not yet received the case, there are signs that this will happen the following week.
Before the Federal High Court in Lagos, the Federal Government has brought two counts of illegal possession of weapons and ammunition against suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.
In a chargesheet that a Channel Television correspondent saw, the FG accused Emefiele of illegally carrying one pistol (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371).
According to the government, the offence violates Section 4 of the Arms Act and is therefore penalised in accordance with Section 27(1b) of that Act.
In the second instance, it was alleged that the suspended CBN Governor used up to 123 cartridges (cartridges) that were in his possession without a licence, which is against section 8 of the federal Cap F28 gun ownership statute from 2004 and is penalised under section 27. (1) (b) (il) of this Act.
Although the judge has not yet received the case, it appears that they will do so the next week.
Since June 10, Emefiele has been under the DSS's care. Dr. Peter Afunanya, a spokesman for the DSS, claimed that this was done for "investigative reasons".
In a statement he released on Thursday, Afunanya added that the agency has charged Emefiele with a crime as a result of the Abuja High Court's ruling.
The 15th day of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, under the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, had one (1) firearm (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence, according to one of the charges. As a result, you are subject to punishment under Section 27 (1b) of this Act for violating Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Regulations of the Federation 2004.
Meanwhile, Emefiele's arrest and custody by the DSS on Friday have been overturned by a federal high court in Abuja.
In his ruling, Justice Bello Kawu said that Mister Emefiele's arrest, incarceration, and questioning were in violation of the ruling and order of Justice M. A. Hassan.
Through Peter Abang, Mr. Emefiele begged the court to overturn and revoke the accused's arrest and imprisonment for violating the law and failing to follow a court's pending judgement on December 29, 2022.
Additionally, Justice Kawu ruled that all arrest warrants acquired from respondents—particularly the DSS—to arrest Emefiele in connection with claims of supporting terrorism, fraud, money laundering, and threats to national security should be dismissed before any court.
The defendants, in particular the DSS, were also given a court order not to restrict Mr. Emefiele's freedom of movement or arrest him.
Finally, the court issued an order issuing an injunction directing the defendants, particularly the DSS, to promptly free Mr. Emefiele from custody or arrest.
