Alleged Illegal Possession Of Firearms: Emefiele Pleads Not Guilty In Court

The suspended and detained Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of alleged illegal possession of firearms before a Federal High Court sitting Lagos.

The Department of State Services (DSS) which arrested and detained Emefiele after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended him from office, charged him with two counts bordering on alleged possession of firearms.

The first count charge by the DSS accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence, which it said is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

Similarly, the second count accused Emefiele of being in possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without an authorised licence, which is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.

When the charges were read to the Suspended Governor of the CBN, he pleaded not guilty to the two charges.