ABUJA, Nigeria – Justice E Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court in Abuja has dismissed a case against the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, brought by George and Okanta, siblings of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The dismissal follows the siblings’ decision to withdraw their case after filing a notice of discontinuance.
The Emefiele siblings initially filed a lawsuit against the AGF and DSS, alleging an infringement on their fundamental human rights due to issues surrounding their embattled brother, the suspended CBN Governor.
Both the AGF and the DSS did not oppose the withdrawal, leading to the case being struck out.
“As far as the Emefiele family is concerned, we believe in the rule of law,” said George Emefiele. “Our withdrawal from the case is a part of that belief. We will let the appropriate authorities do their jobs without any interference.”
Meanwhile, the expected Wednesday arraignment of Godwin Emefiele over an alleged N6.9 billion procurement fraud has been delayed.
The matter was not listed on the cause list of the FCT High Court in Abuja, and attorneys for both sides were conspicuously absent.
The suspended Governor, who appeared in court last Thursday for what was supposed to be his arraignment, experienced a prior delay due to the absence of the second defendant, Sa’adatu Yaro, a female CBN employee.
Yaro was said to be indisposed at the time.
The Presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, has adjourned the matter to August 23, 2023, following a request for adjournment.
This sequence of events adds a layer of complexity to an already contentious situation surrounding the suspended CBN Governor.
While the adjournment provides a brief respite for Emefiele, dismissing his siblings’ case and the looming legal challenges add an uncertain dimension to his future.
“As matters stand, the court’s decisions have significant implications not just for Mr. Emefiele but for the state of governance and accountability in Nigeria,” said Amina Ibrahim, a legal analyst based in Abuja. “All eyes are on August 23rd.”
With both the arraignment of the suspended CBN Governor and the dismissed case against the DSS and AGF, the situation continues to unfold, raising questions about governance, accountability, and the protection of human rights in Nigeria.
