In a recent legal development, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has rejected an application filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) seeking to extend the detention of the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The court proceeding took place on Wednesday, with reports suggesting that the DSS’s legal team discreetly submitted the application based on alleged new evidence obtained by the agency.
Justice Hamza Muazu, presiding over the case, ruled against the DSS’s request, citing both an abuse of the court process and a lack of jurisdiction. This ruling comes as a significant setback for the DSS’s efforts to keep Emefiele in custody.
The request to extend the detention came in the aftermath of Emefiele’s re-arrest by the DSS from the court premises in Lagos on Tuesday. The arrest followed a court order to remand the suspended CBN Governor to a Correctional Centre while awaiting the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
Victor Ejelonu, the counsel representing the DSS, decided to withdraw the application after Justice Muazu raised pertinent questions about the court’s jurisdiction. This move came in light of the exclusive rights of the Magistrate Court to grant detention orders under sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
The case has garnered significant attention due to its implications on the legal processes surrounding high-profile personalities and the exercise of detention powers by law enforcement agencies.
Godwin Emefiele’s suspension from his position as the CBN Governor had already generated considerable public interest, and this recent court drama has further intensified the scrutiny on the matter.
As the legal proceedings continue, the nation watches closely to see how this case unfolds and how it may impact the future handling of similar situations involving public figures and the judicial system.
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