A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered Nigeria’s secret Police Department of State Service (DSS) to allow the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Godwin Emefiele unhindered access to lawyers and family members
READ ALSO: President Tinubu suspends CBN Governor, Emefiele
The presiding Judge, Justice Hamza Muazu granted the interim order in an ex-parte motion brought before the court by counsels to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu and Michael Aondoakaa.
Listed as respondents are the Attorney General of the Federation(AGF); the Director General of State Service and the State Security Service.
The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
In his submission, Daudu informed the court that he has written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application.
Responding, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd Respondents I. Awo, (Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) the Director General of State Service) informed the court that the DSS does not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it is wrong to do so.
Awo assured that he is certain the Security Service would abide by the order of the Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.
Meanwhile, counsel to the DSS as well as the AGF request for an extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted and the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday, June 20, 2023 for hearing of the substantive suit.
READ ALSO: Former CBN Governor Emefiele Under Investigation
The former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was taken to DSS custody after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended him from office.
The suspension is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.
PIAK
