Court gives DSS one week ultimatum to arraign Emefiele or release him

Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has given the Department of State Services (DSS) a one-week deadline to either bring the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to court or release him.

Delivering the ruling in a fundamental human rights lawsuit filed by Emefiele against the DSS and others, Justice Muazu emphasized that while the DSS has the authority to carry out its constitutional duties of arrest and detention for preventing internal crime, such actions must be within the confines of the law.

The judge stated that the powers of the DSS to arrest are not unlimited and must adhere to the specified conditions and duration for holding a Nigerian citizen.

Emefiele had filed the suit seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights, including freedom of movement and dignity of life. He argued that his arrest and detention since June 10 without a valid court order should be declared null and void.

In the lawsuit, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joseph Daudu, the suspended CBN Governor also demanded compensation of N5 million as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.