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A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the Department of State Services’ director general, Yusuf Bichi, to allow suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele access to his family and lawyers.
After being suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, Emefiele had been taken into custody by the DSS.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT high court made the order on Friday even as he emphasised that access is a constitutional right of Emefiele.
The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
In his submission.
The court order followed an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Saudi SAN, who told the court that the DSS had failed to respond to previous letters requesting access to his client.
Counsel to the second and third respondents, I. Awo Esq asserted that the DSS has not been known to reject such requests in the past and that the denial of access was inappropriate.
However, Awo was certain that the security service would abide by the court order and allow the listed lawyers and family members to visit Emefiele.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation did not oppose the application.
Meanwhile, both the counsels to the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their responses to the Originating Motion.
The court granted the request and further adjourned the suit to Tuesday, June 19, 2023, for a hearing in the substantive suit
