There was an intense drama on Tuesday between operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, and men of the Nigeria Correctional Service at the court premises over the custody of Godwin Emefiele, suspended CBN Governor.
The fight between the two agencies happened at the Federal High Court in Lagos after the Judge Nicholas Oweibo ordered that Emefiele be remanded until he fulfils his bail requirements.
It was gathered that DSS intended to still maintain custody of the ex-CBN governor while men of the NCoS were also on ground to move him to the correctional center following the order of the court.
Oweibo had granted bail to Emefiele after bail after pleading not guilty to the two counts bordering on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
However, after spending six weeks in the custody of the DSS, the secret police still wanted to hold him in her custody despite the court order.
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President Bola Tinubu had suspended Emefiele on June 9, 2023. A day after, the DSS confirmed that the embattled, suspended CBN chief was in its custody.
The former CBN governor was arrested on June 10 after he was suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In the first count, he was accused of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence, which is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN governor is accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Appearing before Justice Oweibo, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
The FG, in the charge sheet, accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
Count one of the charges reads; “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.”
