A ruling by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, has ordered the Federal Government to compensate the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, with a hefty sum of N100 million.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, condemned the prolonged detention of Emefiele by security agencies without trial, deeming it both illegal and unconstitutional.
This judgment found the actions of the Federal Government and its agencies to egregiously infringe upon Emefiele’s fundamental rights enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. Moreover, the court issued a restraining order against the Federal Government and its agents, prohibiting any re-arrest or detention of Emefiele without a valid court order.
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The genesis of this legal battle emerged from a fundamental rights enforcement suit initiated by the former CBN boss, challenging the legality of his extended detention in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Emefiele, in his lawsuit, sought damages totaling N1 billion as redress for the rights violation.
Story Background
Emefiele’s legal ordeal commenced with his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on June 9, which subsequently escalated when the Department of State Services (DSS) rearrested him in July 2023. The dramatic arrest followed a confrontation with Correctional Services officers subsequent to a bail grant by a Federal High Court in Lagos.
Late last year, Emefiele was granted bail at the sum of N20 million by the Lagos court. Justice Nicholas Oweibo, presiding over the case, affirmed that the charges against Emefiele were bailable offenses but ordered his remand at the correctional center until the bail conditions were met.
Facing charges related to illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition at the Federal High Court in Lagos and corruption charges in Abuja, the DSS later withdrew the charges. The Director of Public Prosecutions cited emerging facts necessitating further investigation as grounds for the withdrawal.
Despite the withdrawal of charges, Emefiele remained in custody and was subsequently transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). There, he faced a six-count charge for alleged involvement in procurement fraud. Although granted bail worth N300 million, stringent conditions, including producing two Abuja-resident sureties with property within the Maitama District, delayed his release until December 23, culminating in about 34 days spent at Kuje prison.
Presently, Emefiele confronts allegations of economic crimes, fraud, and breach of public trust. A report by Special Investigator Jim Obazee, appointed by President Tinubu, has leveled accusations of financial misconduct against Emefiele during his tenure as CBN governor.
These successive detentions and legal battles have marked a tumultuous period for the former apex bank chief.