In a significant development, a group of constitutional and human rights lawyers has taken a bold step by filing a contempt charge against Yusuf Bichi, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS). This move comes in response to what the lawyers perceive as a blatant violation of court judgments and orders directing the release of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, from DSS custody.
The legal team, led by Maxwell Opara and Ahmed Tijani, is seeking the court’s intervention to hold Bichi accountable for the alleged contemptuous actions. They are requesting that he be imprisoned until he complies with the court’s orders regarding Emefiele’s release.
According to the lawyers, Justices M. A. Hassan, Hamza Muazu, and Bello Kawu had issued clear orders restraining the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interrogating Emefiele for offenses related to terrorism financing, money laundering, and other financial crimes. Despite these orders, the DSS proceeded with the arrest and prolonged detention of Emefiele, apparently searching for evidence that does not exist.
Speaking to the press after filing their legal documents, Maxwell Opara expressed their determination to see this matter through to its conclusion. He emphasized the importance of sending a message that contempt of court and abuse of power for personal vendettas by security agency heads and government officials will no longer be tolerated. Additionally, the lawyers called upon President Bola Tinubu to relieve Bichi of his duties as DSS DG for allegedly misleading the President about Emefiele’s alleged crimes, which have now been reduced to a charge of possession of a legally registered pump-action rifle.
The reactions from Nigerians regarding the situation have been diverse. While some have criticized the Department of State Services (DSS) for disregarding court orders, others argue that Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, is facing the consequences of his past defiance of court orders.
Ibrahim Akpan “When the CBN Governor was refusing Court order over cashless policy, that his so call lawyer was not in this country?
Chisom Akamefuna “Emefiele didn’t obey multiple court orders as CBN governor. He now expects the man he vehemently fought with during electioneering period to do otherwsise? What goes around comes around. Everyone would pay for their misdemeanors”
During the cash crunch period, a legal suit was filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking Emefiele’s imprisonment for failing to promptly obey a Supreme Court order regarding the naira redesign policy. Many Nigerians still hold resentment over the hardships they endured during that time, including widespread cash shortages and excessive charges by Point-of-Sale agents.
The current situation raises concerns about the rule of law in Nigeria. It suggests that some agencies, like the DSS, may no longer respect the judiciary’s authority, thereby undermining the country’s legal system. The lack of consequences for such actions has led some to believe that there is a vengeful aspect to these developments, reflecting poorly on the nation.
It is evident that adherence to the rule of law is essential for a well-functioning society. When institutions disregard court orders, it undermines public trust and can lead to a sense of lawlessness. The President’s silence on these matters is also a matter of concern for some citizens, as it may be perceived as condoning such behavior.
What is your opinion on this?
