Godwin Emefiele, the detained governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has submitted a bail plea to the Federal High Court in Lagos.
According to News About Nigeria, the bail action was made based on the relevant sections of the constitution, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, and the inherent authority of the court, by Mr. Emefiele’s lead attorney, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Joseph Daudu.
Although the precise date of Mr. Emefiele’s arraignment on the two charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition is yet unknown, it is anticipated to occur during the court’s annual vacation, which begins on Monday, July 24, 2023.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo, one of the court’s two vacation justices along with Justice Akintayo Aluko, has been given the case.
The bail appeal for the CBN governor who has been suspended is backed by nine grounds, one of which is that the accusations against him are bailable.
He emphasized his clean background and the idea that everyone is innocent unless proven guilty.
Furthermore, according to Mr. Emefiele, being released on bail would give him plenty of time and resources to organize his defense.
Mr. Emefiele told the court that he is not a flight risk and would not flee if bail was granted by citing his character, reputable background, and status as a former CBN governor.
Additionally, he claimed that because investigations were completed, there was no chance of him interfering. The defendant promised to show up for the trial on time and agreed to post responsible witnesses following the court’s rules.
According to the federal government’s charge sheet, Mr. Emefiele violated Section 4 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 by possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license, which is penalized under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
The second count charges him with breaking Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act by having 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a license.
The suspended CBN governor will be represented by a group of 10 attorneys, five of them are prominent advocates, under the direction of Joseph Daudu, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association.
2014 saw the appointment of Godwin Emefiele as CBN governor.
On June 9th, 2023, President Bola Tinubu removed him, and the DSS later detained him.
