In a recent development, an Abuja high court has issued a compelling order to the Department of State Security (DSS) to grant Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), unrestricted access to his lawyers and family members.
The order was made in response to an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN), who expressed concern over the lack of response from the DSS to his previous correspondence. Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1450/2023, filed by Emefiele as the applicant, names the Attorney General of the Federation of Nigeria and the Director General of the State Security Service as respondents.
Justice Mu’Azu, upon considering the oral application, granted the requested order, allowing Emefiele’s legal team to have immediate and regular access to their client until the determination of the application. The hearing has been adjourned to June 20. This decision marks a significant step in ensuring Emefiele’s rights are protected during the ongoing investigation.
Emefiele’s arrest came shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration suspended him from his position as CBN governor, following his almost decade-long tenure. President Tinubu, who assumed power after a highly contested February presidential election, had promised reforms aimed at revitalizing Africa’s largest economy and addressing its financial challenges.
The Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed that Mr. Godwin Emefiele was in their custody for investigative reasons, without providing further details. A spokesperson for President Tinubu’s government stated that Emefiele’s suspension was part of an ongoing investigation into his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector. Meanwhile, one of the CBN’s deputy governors has assumed the role of acting governor until the conclusion of the investigations.
As the legal proceedings continue, the court’s order ensures that Emefiele can consult with his legal team and maintain contact with his family. The outcome of the investigation and subsequent proceedings will be closely watched, given Emefiele’s influential position in Nigeria’s financial sector and the potential implications for the country’s economy.