In a dramatic showdown that unfolded on Tuesday, a heated dispute arose between the Nigeria Correctional Centre (NCC) officials and the Department of State Services (DSS) operatives over the custody of none other than the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Earlier, at the Federal High Court in Lagos, lawyers representing the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, raised serious allegations against the Department of State Service (DSS). According to Joseph Daudu, the lead counsel for the embattled Emefiele, the DSS is reportedly planning to re-arrest their client, even after a bail order was granted by the court.
The suspension of Governor Emefiele by President Bola Tinubu on June 9, 2023, sparked a chain of controversial events. The following day, the DSS confirmed that they had taken him into custody. Emefiele’s legal team subsequently engaged in intense legal battles to challenge his prolonged detention by the DSS. Finally, on July 13, 2023, the secret police succumbed to pressure and announced that the suspended CBN chief had been charged and would face trial.
During the court appearance before Justice Oweibo, Emefiele, aged 61, pleaded “not guilty” to charges of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition filed against him by the Federal Government. His lawyer, Joseph Daudu, urged the court to grant bail, either on self-recognizance or other liberal terms, until the trial is heard and determined. Justice Nicholas Oweibo eventually granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20 million and ordered his remand at a correctional center pending fulfillment of the bail conditions. Importantly, the judge rejected the Federal Government’s claim that Emefiele posed a flight risk, stating that they failed to provide any supporting evidence.
However, the situation took a controversial turn after the court’s ruling. Observers noticed DSS operatives strategically positioning their Hilux Pick Up van, which was used to bring Emefiele to court, in a manner that suggested they intended to take him back to their detention center. This prompted Emefiele’s lawyers, including prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu, to raise an alarm over the alleged planned re-arrest by the secret police.
Concerns about the clash between the Federal Government and Emefiele have added fuel to the fire, as the nation grapples with numerous challenges. Nigerians argue that instead of focusing on pressing issues like national security, the government appears determined to hold Emefiele accountable for his actions during the cash crunch period. They question the DSS’s tactics, portraying them as openly flouting the court’s order, thereby raising doubts about the state’s commitment to upholding the rule of law.
Following the court’s verdict, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sought refuge within the confines of the courtroom, accompanied by his legal team.
However, as the prison officials made their move to place Godwin Emefiele under custody until he could meet the conditions for bail, an unexpected clash erupted. The secret police stepped forward to challenge the prison officials, giving rise to a tense and heated altercation.
The unfolding drama painted a vivid picture of the high-stakes power struggle surrounding Emefiele’s fate. The courtroom, once a symbol of justice and order, now became the backdrop for a gripping showdown between competing authorities.
The situation has ignited controversy and raises questions about the priorities of the Nigerian government. Observers are closely watching how this high-stakes drama will unfold, as it could have far-reaching implications for the country’s reputation both domestically and on the international stage.
