Federal high court in Lagos has fixed July 25 for the arraignment of suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Gatekeepers News reports that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu will be leading the defendant’s case while Nicholas Oweibo will serve as the presiding judge.
On June 9, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele and asked him to transfer his responsibilities, CBN Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi.
Afterwards, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced that the suspended CBN governor was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.
Meanwhile, the DSS has detailed Emefiele in its custody since his arrest.
On July 13, Spokesperson of the DSS, Peter Afunanya confirmed that the agency had filed charges against Emefiele.
The DSS charged him with two counts bordering on alleged possession of firearms.
In the first count, the suspended Apex bank Governor 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 was 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.
Emefiele, who had earlier filed an application before the court seeking bail on self-recognisance, argued that the charges for which he was accused are bailable.
He noted that he has never been convicted of a crime and should enjoy the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, adding that he is not a flight risk.
Emefiele also said granting him bail would afford him adequate time to prepare his defence.
The suspended CBN Governor pledged to show up for trial on time and expressed his willingness to offer responsible sureties required by the court.
