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The Federal Government on Tuesday filed fresh 20-count charges against the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
In response, the FG submitted an oral request to remove the earlier lawsuit it launched against the troubled Emefiel bothering on the grounds of “illegal possession of firearms” at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The new 20 count charges against Emefiele were filed before a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court by the government, which was represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar.
DPP Abubaklar told the FCT High Court presided over by Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the oral application followed the outcome of further investigations.
However, Counsel to Emefiele, Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, opposed the application on the ground that the Federal Government was in disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail, stressing that as such the application of the FG should not be taken.
Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, had on July 25, 2023, granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20million upon a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and ordered him to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
However, the DSS rearrested Emefiele after a scuffle with officials of the NCoS on the court’s premises.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the Court’s sitting on the matter, the DPP, Mr. Abubakar said the fresh 20 count charge were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court which include “conferring unlawful advantages”.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, had adjourned till August 15, 2023, for hearing of applications seeking to stop further prosecution of Emefiele, while that of the Ministry of Justice sought to appeal the bail granted Emefiele by the court.
Oweibo fixed the date after listening to arguments of parties on whether they were ripe for hearing or to enable the defence reply the prosecution’s further counter affidavit which was served on the defence in court just before the proceedings commenced.
In his ruling on whether the applications were ripe for hearing, Justice Oweibo noted that the application of the prosecution has been concluded and was ripe for hearing adding however, that since the defence has not responded to the further counter affidavit served on him in court, it will be best for the applications to be taken jointly on the same day.
Accordingly, the Court adjourned the matter to August 15, for hearing of all applications.
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