Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has issued a directive to the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), instructing immediate and unrestricted access to be granted to the lawyers and family members of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The court order came after an exparte application was presented on behalf of Emefiele by his lawyer, Chief Joseph Daudu (SAN), who argued the case orally. Emefiele was apprehended by the DSS on Saturday shortly after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu. The DSS took him into custody following a lengthy siege at his residence in Lagos before transporting him to Abuja, where he has been held ever since.
President Tinubu had suspended Emefiele based on serious allegations against him. The motion requesting access for Emefiele's lawyers and family, bearing the reference number FCT/HC/CV/6450/23, named the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director General of the Department of State Services as respondents.
The enrolled order, dated June 16, states, "The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately and regularly at reasonable times, pending the determination of the application." Justice Muazu emphasized that access is a constitutional right for Emefiele.
During the court proceedings, Chief Joseph Daudu informed the court orally that he had sent letters to the respondents, specifically on June 14, 2023, seeking further instructions from his client, but the DSS had failed to respond to the application.
In response, Mr. I. Awo, counsel to the second and third respondents, assured the court that the DSS does not have a history of denying such requests and that it was incorrect to do so. Awo expressed confidence that the Security Service would comply with the court's order and allow the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to visit him. The counsel for the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.
Meanwhile, both the DSS counsel and the Attorney General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion. The court granted their request, and the hearing of the substantive suit was adjourned until Tuesday, June 20, 2023.
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