A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, granted the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, leave to serve the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the court’s order admitting him to bail and directing his remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) by substituted means.
GOOD EVENING NIGERIA reports that the order means the Federal High Court has allowed the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to inform the Department of State Services (DSS) Director General, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, about the court’s decision to grant him bail using an alternative method.
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Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted the order in response to an ex-parte application brought by Emefiele’s counsel, Mrs. Ogonnaya Sonuga.
Earlier on July 25, 2023, the court had granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20 million and ordered his remand at the NCoS after he was arraigned on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The charges against Emefiele include possession of a single barrel shotgun and 123 rounds of live ammunition without a license. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.
However, following the court’s proceedings, Emefiele was rearrested by the DSS.
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In an ex-parte application, dated July 28, 2023, Emefiele asked the court for “an order of this honourable court granting leave to the defendant/applicant to serve the complainant through and on the office and person of the Director General, Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, with the ruling/order of court obtained on July 25, 2023;
“Admitting the defendant/applicant to bail and directing his remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service by substituted means to wit: by publishing same in three national daily newspapers circulating within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and which said service will be deemed as good and proper service on the prosecutor/complainant.”
Justice Oweibo granted the prayers, allowing Emefiele to serve the DSS Director General with the relevant court order.
The application was supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed by Adeogun Ayodele Samuel from the law firm of Victor Opara.