I truly sympathise with you – Judge tells detained CBN Gov Emefiele…Gives DSS 7 days to release or charge him to court

Spread the love

Pix above: Godwin Emefiele and DSS operatives

SHARE THIS

An Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama, on Thursday, ordered the Department of State Services, DSS, to release the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, from detention within seven days or charge him to court.

The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Hamza Muazu, held that Emefiele’s continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.580.0_en.html#goog_1465496585 Justice Muazu held that the Nigerian Constitution was founded on the rule of law which he said pre-supposed that everything must be done within the ambit of the law.

“Detention, no matter how small can amount to a breach of fundamental rights,” the court held, adding that since allegations against the embattled suspended CBN Governor contained bailable offences, the DSS ought to grant him administrative bail, pending his prosecution.

Nevertheless, the court, said that there was evidence before it to show that there was an order from an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s Court that permitted the security agency to detain Emefiele for a period of 14 days to enable it to conclude its investigations.

It held that Emefiele did not establish that his arrest, detention and investigation was unlawful since it was based on a valid court order.

Describing the DSS as a reputable institution mandated to guarantee internal security of the country, Justice Muazu, said it must conduct its operations with strict adherence to provisions of the Constitution.

“Though I am in sympathy with the Applicant (Emefiele), but my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.

“The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.

“However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The Applicant is entitled to fair hearing./SHARE THIS

–Tags: Emefiele, DSS

–Advertisement–