ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court has set July 13, 2023, as the date for its ruling in the enforcement of fundamental rights suit filed by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after hearing arguments from all parties involved in the matter.
Joseph Daudu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to Emefiele, argued against the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents.
He stated that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case, as the offenses listed against Emefiele are state offenses that fall within the remit of the FCT High Court.
Tijjani Ghazali, SAN and counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, countered that the first respondent challenges the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
He argued that Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the Department of State Services are administrative decisions of an executive arm, and therefore, the court’s jurisdiction is determined by the reliefs sought by the applicant.
Ghazali urged the court to dismiss the application, arguing that the allegations of unlawful detention are unfounded, as the embattled CBN Governor is being detained based on an order from an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.
I. Awo, counsel for the second and third respondents, also requested that the court dismiss the application, citing a subsisting order for the applicant’s detention.
The case has been adjourned until July 13, 2023, when the court is expected to make its ruling.
