LAGOS, Nigeria — An unusual drama unfolded on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, as operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and officials of Nigeria Correctional Service, NCoS, clashed over the custody of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele, arraigned today by the DSS on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, was granted bail for N20 million with a requirement for one surety.
While his lawyers were still in the courtroom working to fulfill his bail conditions, a power struggle took place in the court premises between DSS and NCoS operatives over which entity would retain custody of the defendant.
In a show of force and determination, two Hilux vehicles representing the two government agencies were stationed near the court entrance, marking their respective territories.
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There are indications that the DSS might be planning to rearrest Emefiele, despite the court having granted him bail.
This potential move has stirred a heated debate and brought a tense atmosphere to the court premises, causing concern among spectators and legal practitioners alike.
As the day wore on, the standoff persisted, leaving observers and legal representatives unsure of the outcome and adding another layer of complexity to an already controversial case.
This power struggle has once again highlighted the often complicated and intricate relationship between Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and their role in the judicial process.
Suspended Central Bank Governor Emefiele Pleads for Self-Recognisance Bail
Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, sought bail on self-recogniance at the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
The federal government has pressed charges against him, with the determination of these charges pending.
Emefiele’s defense team, led by former Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, President Joseph Daudu and ten other lawyers, including five Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SANs, filed the bail application.
The case has been assigned to Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
In the nine-ground application, Emefiele denied the gun possession-related charge leveled against him. He insisted that he poses neither a flight risk nor a threat to abscond if granted bail.
As the legal proceedings unfold, a controversy is brewing between the Department of State Services, DSS, and Emefiele’s legal team.
The DSS alleged on its official Twitter handle that Maxwell Okpara, who it identifies as a lawyer for the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, represents Emefiele.
The tweet claimed that Okpara has rallied other lawyers against DSS Director General, Yusuf Bichi.
The tweet read: “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like-minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression. A Biafran Republic agitator and outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs? What a contradiction. Hmmm. What’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”
The controversial tweet raises fresh questions about the political overtones of Emefiele’s case and the potentially complicated dynamics it could introduce into his legal defense.
As the saga unfolds, the entire nation watches, waiting to see how the judiciary will handle this high-stakes case.
