Date Set for Emefiele’s Court Hearing

July 13 has been set aside by the Federal Capital Territory High Court for the enforcement of the fundamental rights suit filed by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Justice Hamza Muazu chose this date after hearing the arguments presented by the involved parties.

Emefiele’s Counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), contended that the court has jurisdiction to hear the matter, despite the respondents’ objection to the originating summon on notice.

Daudu argued that the offences attributed to Emefiele were state offences that fell within the purview of the FCT High Court.

Tijjani Ghazali, SAN, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, informed the court that the first respondent is disputing the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case brought by the applicant.

Ghazali stated that Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the Department of State Services is an administrative decision made by an executive body.

He further noted that jurisdiction was determined by the relief sought by the applicant.

Ghazali urged the court to dismiss the application, asserting that the allegation of unlawful detention was baseless, since the detained CBN ex-governor was held under the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.

The counsel for the second and third respondents, I. Awo, informed the court that there was an existing order for the applicant’s detention.

Therefore, Awo requested the court to dismiss the application and impose costs.

NAN