The Department of State Services (DSS) has said that the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emiefele is not kept illegally in its custody.
The service was reacting to an order issued yesterday by Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal High Court in Abuja asking it (DSS) to either charge or release Emefiele within seven days.
Recall that the judge gave the directive while delivering a ruling in a fundamental human rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele.
Muazu held that the DSS has the power to carry out its constitutional duties of making arrests, detaining, and ensuring the prevention of internal crime.
However, he maintained such duties must be carried out within the ambit of the law.
“Though I am in sympathy with the Applicant, my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.
“The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.
“However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The applicant is entitled to a fair hearing.
“At this point, the continued detention of the Applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him.
“At the very least, justice demands that applicant should be released on administrative bail.
“Consequently, I hereby make an order, directing the respondents to within one week, charge the Applicant to court or release him on administrative bail,” the judge held.
However, spokesman for the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said in a statement last night that Emefiele had already been charged to court.
“Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court in compliance with the order.
“The public may recall that the Service had, in 2022, applied for a court order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation.
“Though he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the Service, however, arrested him in June, 2023, on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.
“The Service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law,” Afunanya said.
