DSS insists CBN ex-boss not denied access to family, lawyers
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday, reserved judgment in the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, till July 13.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the matter.
Counsel to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu (SAN) had argued that contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
According to him, the offences listed against the plaintiff are state offences that could be entertained by the court.
Lawyer to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Tijjani Ghazali (SAN), informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.
He stressed that Emefiele’s arrest and detention is an administrative decision of an arm of the executive, adding that jurisdiction is determined by the reliefs sought by an applicant.
He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application, submitting that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded, as the plaintiff is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate’s Court.
Counsel to the second and third respondents, I. Awo, told the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application with cost.
The presiding judge, consequently, fixed July 13 for ruling.
President Bola Tinubu had, on June 10, suspended Emefiele from office. Shortly after, the secret service announced that he is in its custody.
The Federal Government had also explained that the suspension was to allow an “ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.”
BUT DSS has refuted allegation by Emefiele that he had been denied access to his family and lawyers.
The agency’s spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, made the rebuttal, yesterday, in a statement, titled: “The DSS operates within its mandate.”
According to Afunanya, the celebration of news of a court order to allow Emefiele’s lawyers and family access to him is “quite unnecessary.”
He said: “He was never denied access. Ever since he was taken into custody, his family has continually accessed him. Same with medical officials. The impression that the Service is going to act on the prompting of the court is not correct.”
[Guardian]