Finally, Emefiele Arraigned In Court, Pleads Not Guilty To Firearm Charges
After holding him in custody for over a month, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court, Lagos, to a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The Department Of State Services (DSS) had detained Emefiele since his arrest on Saturday, June 10, 2023 after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, June 9.
The arraignment on Tuesday was before a vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, at the Federal High Court shortly after he was brought to the court by officials of the DSS at 09:21am.
According to the charges, the Federal Government is accusing Emefiele of illegal possession of a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
The Government said the offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, Emefiele is being accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.”
Count two: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.”
The suspended CBN Governor, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN), led other lawyers in Emefiele’s defence.
After the plea, Daudu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that his client has been in detention for weeks. He also told Justice Oweibo that the application for bail has been filed and served on the prosecution.
Emefiele would later ask the court to admit him to bail on self recognizance but the court has not ruled on the matter.
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