A federal high court sitting in Abuja, on Friday, voided the arrest and detention of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Bello Kawu, while delivering Judgement, held that the arrest, detention and interrogation of Emefiele is in violation of the subsisting judgment and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on June 9, suspended Emefiele, while asking him to transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, deputy governor, operations directorate.
It was gathered that the day after, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced that Emefiele was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.
Emefiele has been in DSS custody since early June, with the service insisting that it obtained a valid court order to keep him.
Meanwhile, Emefiele through his Counsel, Peter Abang, had asked the court to set aside and nullify the arrest and detention of the Applicant for being illegal and a nullity in view of the subsisting judgment by another court delivered on 29th December, 2022.
However, Justice Kawu, while making judgement, also made an order setting aside any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the Respondents, especially the DSS for the arrest of Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, threat to national security before any court.
The court further granted an injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interfering with Mr. Emefiele’s personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The court finally granted an order of injunction directing and mandating the Respondents, particularly the DSS to forthwith release and Mr. Emefiele from any arrest or detention.
