Federal High Court Dismisses FG's Objection, Accepts Emefiele's Bail Application

Justice Nicholas Oweibo, presiding over the Federal High Court in Lagos State, has dismissed the Federal Government's assertion that it has not received a copy of the bail application submitted by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Emefiele is currently facing charges related to the alleged illegal possession of a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license on June 15, 2023, in Ikoyi.

During the court proceedings, the judge found evidence that the government had indeed been served with the bail application. The application was filed by Emefiele's legal team, led by Joseph B. Daudu, SAN. 

Daudu urged the court to consider the defendant's request for bail on self-recognition, emphasizing that all necessary conditions for the application to be heard had been met. He pointed to the proof of service, which was endorsed by the Attorney General of the Federation's (AGF) office and included in the court's file. Daudu passionately appealed to the court to put an end to what he described as the "oppression" his client faced from the Department of State Security, which had arrested him.

On the other hand, the government's lawyer, Deputy Director of Prosecution N.B. Jones, asserted that she had not received the bail application and had not laid eyes on it at the time of the hearing.

The case revolves around the alleged possession of the single-barrel shotgun without the required license, and Emefiele's legal team is seeking bail for their client, urging the court to address the matter promptly and put an end to the perceived oppression he is facing.