
Detention: Court fixes July 13 to rule on Emefiele’s right enforcement suit
Abuja High Court Sets Date for Ruling on Godwin Emefiele’s Fundamental Rights Suit:
An Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama has scheduled July 13 as the date for delivering a judgement on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Justice Hamza Muazu reserved his judgement after hearing arguments from all parties involved in the case.
Court Proceedings and Parties Involved:
The suit, with the reference number FCT/HC/CV/6450/23, lists the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of State Security Service, and the State Security Service as the 1st to 3rd respondents. Last Friday, the court ordered that Mr. Emefiele, who has been in custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 10, should be granted access to his lawyers and family members.
Emefiele’s Plea for Fundamental Rights:
During the recent court session, Mr. Emefiele’s legal team, led by renowned lawyer Mr. Joseph Daudu, SAN, requested the court to enforce his client’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to liberty and freedom. They argued that his continued detention by the security agency violated his human rights as protected by the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Arguments from the Respondents:
The Attorney-General of the Federation, represented by Mr. Tijjani Ghazali, SAN, challenged the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case, emphasizing that Emefiele’s arrest and detention were administrative decisions of the Executive Arm of the government. He contended that the FCT High Court was not the appropriate venue for the suit. Mr. I. Awo, appearing for the DSS and its Director General, also sought the dismissal of the suit with costs awarded against the applicant, asserting that the arrest and detention were conducted in accordance with due process.
Adjournment for Judgment:
After considering the arguments from all parties, Justice Muazu adjourned the case for judgment. The court will make its decision regarding Emefiele’s fundamental rights and the legality of his detention on the scheduled date.
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