During the hearing of a suit filed by the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, against the Department of State Services (DSS), it was revealed that the DSS believes Emefiele would flee if granted bail. The DSS made this submission to a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Tuesday, as reported by Gurustab.
The DSS stated that Emefiele was being held in accordance with an order from a competent court, citing reasons such as criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security significance, and undermining the security of Nigeria.
Emefiele is challenging his detention by the DSS and the denial of access to his family members and lawyers. However, the DSS argues that he is allowed to see his family even before the lawsuit.
During the hearing, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) also argued that granting bail to Emefiele would be risky as he is considered a flight risk.
Both the DSS and OAGF filed counter-affidavits insisting that Emefiele should not be granted bail. The OAGF stated that issues of terrorism financing and fraudulent activities were not part of the grounds for Emefiele’s arrest and detention. They also claimed that his life was not in danger, he had not been subjected to torture, and there was no violation of his right to freedom of movement.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Tijani Gazal, representing the OAGF, urged the court to dismiss the suit, asserting that Emefiele’s claim of unlawful detention was unfounded.
The case was adjourned until July 13 for a ruling after hearing arguments from all parties.
