The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday morning, has pleaded not guilty before a Federal High Court, Lagos, to a charge of illegal possession of firearms brought against him by the federal ministry of Justice.
Emefiele was arraigned on a two-counts charge bordering on unlicenced possession of firearms.
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 govenor had been charged to court.
Emefiele was brought to court by DSS operatives in a hilux vehicle at about 9:21am.
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, SAN led other lawyers in Emefiele’s defence team.
After Emefiele’s plea, Daudu told the court that his client has been in detention for weeks. He also told Justice Oweibo that the application for bail had been filed and served on the prosecution.
But, the DSS raised objection to the court hearing the bail application, insisting that it has not been served.
Meanwhile, a group known as the Coalition of Nigerian Civil Society had prayed the court to allow it hold a watching brief in the arraignment of Emefiele.
The group represented by five senior lawyers stormed the court and took their seats at the back saying they are lawyers in defence of democracy.
The court has granted them permission watch the proceedings.
Details Later…