FG withdraws firearm charges against Emefiele, files fresh 20 charges against ex-CBN Gov
The Federal Government has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss the illegal possession of guns allegation it brought against suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
The judge had ordered Emefiele’s remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the completion of his bail conditions, on July 25, after admitting him to a N20 million bail on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Nevertheless, the Department of State Services (DSS) re-arrested him during an altercation with prison guards.
Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, informed Justice Nicholas Oweibo on Tuesday that the new application was the outcome of additional investigations.
He delivered an oral submission.
However, the defence attorney, Joseph Daudu (SAN), objected, saying that the government could not be considered because it was disobeying the court’s decision granting Emefiele release.
After the day’s proceedings, Abubakar told reporters that further charges had been brought before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
Emefiele is accused of “conferring unlawful advantages” in one of the counts.
Emefiele had been accused of a number of things on June 9, and Tinubu had suspended him and ordered an investigation.
Later, Tinubu named a Special Investigator to look into CBN. In the midst of this investigation, the top bank produced its audited financial statement, which revealed that as of the fiscal year ended, it owed JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs a total amount of $7.5 billion.
