The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Abuja has dismissed an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) seeking extension of the detention order on the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for fourteen days.
DSS had secretly filed the application on Wednesday before a vacation judge claiming it had discovered new evidence against Mr. Emefiele.
The presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, however, dismissed the application, saying that it is an abuse of court process.
Justice Muazu further distanced himself from the case, saying that the court lacked the jurisdiction over the matter.
It could be recalled that News Band reported on Tuesday a mild drama at the Federal High Court, Lagos State, as of DSS Operatives physical engaged in scuffles with officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) over who will have custody of Emefiele, who was earlier granted bail by the court.
According to the report, the Ikoyi prison official was man-handled and by the DSS and was shoved into their waiting vehicle.
Emefiele was arraigned for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition but was granted bail by Justice Nicholas Oweibo in the sum of N20m with one surety after he pleaded “not guilty”.
However, while his lawyers were trying to perfect his bail conditions, the fully hooded DSS operatives and NCS officials got embroiled in a tussle over who will take custody of the embattled former CBN boss.
DSS eventually prevailed over Prison officials and drove away with the frail-looking banker.
Following the unpleasant display of power, DSS has faced heavy backlash from Nigerians, including the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, SAN.
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