The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting at Maitama, Abuja on Friday, ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, unrestricted access to his lawyers and family members.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court who granted the order following an application by J.B. Daudu SAN, counsel to Emefiele, said it is within the suspended CBN governor’s constitutional right.
Recall that Emefiele was arrested by the DSS early Saturday morning, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening, following an ongoing investigation of his office and planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.
Daudu had informed the court that he had written letters to the DSS, particularly on June 14, for the purpose of taking further instruction from his client (Emefiele), but the secret police has refused to respond to the application.
Responding, counsel to the second and third respondents (DSS Director, and the DSS), 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.
He, however, said he was sure the secret police would abide by the order of court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Emefiele to see him.
Meanwhile, the suit was further adjourned till Tuesday, June 19 for hearing of the substantive suit.