The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on Tuesday pleaded not guilty before a Federal High Court Lagos, to a charge of illegal possession of firearms.
The Department of State Services (DSS) charged him with two counts bordering on alleged possession of firearms.
In the first count, Emefiele is accused of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence, which is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN governor is 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 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, led other lawyers in Emefiele’s defence.
After Emefiele’s 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.
Meanwhile, the DSS raised objections to the court hearing the bail application, insisting that it has not been served.
