Court Stops DSS From Extending Emefiele’s Detention

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has dismissed the Department of State Services (DSS) suit for a 14-day extended detention order for Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank Governor.

Daily Report Nigeria reports that the DSS had filed the suit based on its purported new evidence.

However, Justice Muazu deemed the application an abuse of court process and lacking jurisdiction.

The DSS’s legal team discreetly filed the application on Wednesday, which was brought before the judge on Thursday.

Given the exclusive rights of the Magistrate Court to grant detention orders under Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the DSS’s counsel, Mr Victor Ejelonu, chose to withdraw the matter upon questioning by the judge about the court’s jurisdiction.

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The application came after the DSS re-arrested Emefiele at the Federal High Court complex in Lagos and remanded him in a correctional facility pending the conditions approved by Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

Emefiele is currently facing charges bothering on illegal possession of firearm and alleged involvement in sponsoring terrorism.