FG to Withdraw Firearm Case Against Emefiele, Files Fresh Charges
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Tuesday applied to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearms” charges it filed against the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, in an oral application, told Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos State that the application followed the result of further investigations.
But, Emefiele’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Joseph Daudu, opposed the application, insisting that the government must first purge itself of the disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail before its application could be taken.
Justice Oweibo has adjourned till Thursday, August 17, 2023, to rule on the application.
Speaking to newsmen, the DPP said a fresh 20 counts have been filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
One of the counts, he said, accused Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.
The Street Reporters Newspaper recalls that the judge had on July 25, admitted Emefiele to a N20million bail on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
But the Department of State Services (DSS) rearrested him after a clash with prison officials over right to the custody of Mr Emefiele.
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