|
Listen now
|
Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos on two counts of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.
Emefiele is to stand trial on a two-count charge which accuses him of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence on June 15.
Emefiele pleads not guilty to the two count charge of being in possession of a single barrel gun and 23 live amunition
The Federal Government, which is prosecuting him, maintained that the offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which was contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Emefiele was brought to Court in a Toyota Hilux vehicle by DSS officials.
Emefiele was arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, after over six weeks since his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
After several legal fireworks by Emefiele’s counsel challenging his prolonged detention by the DSS, the secret police bowed to pressure on July 13, 2023 and announced that the suspended apex bank chief has been charged to court.
Emefiele was brought to court by DSS operatives in a hilux vehicle on Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Appearing before Justice Oweibo, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Federal Government.
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.