CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele

The Department of State Services (DSS) has announced that it has charged the embattled suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to court. This action comes as a response to an order issued by an Abuja High Court on Thursday, July 13, 2023, which mandated the secret police to either charge Emefiele to court within one week or release him.

DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya confirmed that Emefiele has been charged to court in compliance with the court order. However, the spokesman did not disclose the specific court where Emefiele was charged or provide details regarding the allegations brought against the suspended bank chief.

Afunanya stated, “The public may recall that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a Court Order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation. Though he (Emefiele) obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June 2023, on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.”

The DSS assured the public of professionalism, justice, and fairness in handling Emefiele’s case, emphasizing its commitment to a thorough and unbiased legal process.

Earlier on Thursday, Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja issued a one-week ultimatum to the DSS, directing them to either charge Emefiele to court or release him. The judge made this order while delivering a ruling in a fundamental human rights suit filed against the DSS and others by Emefiele.

Justice Muazu emphasized that the suspended CBN governor cannot remain in detention without a formal charge, further asserting that the DSS cannot use the period of Emefiele’s detention to gather evidence against him.

Emefiele had filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General of the Federation and the DSS, seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity of human life. In his suit, the suspended CBN governor requested that his arrest and detention since June 10, without a valid court order, be declared void and set aside. Additionally, Emefiele demanded compensation of N5 million as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.