Suspended CBN Governor Emefiele Caught With Gun, Ammunition – Read Details below.
According to a statement by the Department of State Services (DSS), the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who is currently suspended, has been apprehended for illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
GoldenNewsNg gathered that Emefiele is facing two charges in a lawsuit filed by the DSS at the Federal High Court in Lagos. The charges include the unlawful possession of a single barrel shotgun (Jojeff Magnum 8371) without a license, which is a violation of the Firearms Laws of the Federation 2004, and the possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition without a license. The items were allegedly found unlawfully kept at a residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, on or about June 15, 2023.
Emefiele was arrested on June 10, 2023, one day after his suspension by President Tinubu. He has been in custody under the DSS since then. The Federal High Court in Abuja recently criticized the prolonged detention and ordered the DSS to either charge him to court within a week or release him. The DSS has now confirmed that Emefiele has been charged and the case is ongoing.
Various individuals and organizations, including former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Joseph Daudu (SAN), human rights lawyers, and the Centre for Social Justice and Accountability (CSJA), have called on the federal government to ensure adherence to the principles of the rule of law, fairness, and justice in handling Emefiele’s case. They believe that the government’s handling of the case will impact foreign investors’ perception of the new administration.
Daudu expressed optimism that President Tinubu, known for his advocacy of democracy, will not support arbitrary actions. Maxwell Opara, Abdulazeez Tijani, and Anthony Akpua of the CSJA criticized the DSS for disregarding the rule of law and emphasized the importance of respecting Emefiele’s rights until proven guilty in a court of law. They highlighted the significance of the case in shaping the country’s reputation in terms of respecting the rule of law and attracting international investors.