‘Immediately’ Grant Emefiele Access To Lawyers, Family – Court Orders DSS

Hon Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting at Maitama Abuja has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the DSS to immediately grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, unrestricted access to his lawyers and family members.

Granting the order on Friday following an application by J.B. Daudu (SAN), counsel to the embattled apex bank boss, Justice Muazu said the country’s secret police must act within the confines of the law and ensure Emefiele is kept in custody within his constitutional right.

Emefiele’s counsel had informed the Court that he had written several letters to the DSS, particularly on June 14, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS refused to respond to the application.

On the other hand, counsel to the second and third respondents, I. Awo, told the court that the DSS did not have the penchant for refusing such a request and that it was wrong to do so.

However, he expressed certainty that the DSS would abide by the Court’s order and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Emefiele to see him, while counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) did not oppose the application.

Meanwhile, counsels to the DSS, as well as the OAGF, asked the Court 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 for hearing of the substantive suit.

Emefiele was arrested by the DSS in Lagos on Saturday, June 10, 2023, less than 24 hours after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening.