By Uzair Adam Imam
A Federal High Court sitting at Maitama in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefele, from detention.
The court order on Thursday asked the DSS to, within seven days, release Emefele or charge him to court as his continued detention is tantamount to a breach of his fundamental human rights.
In a judgement that was delivered by Justice Hamza Muazu, the court held that Emefiele’s continued detention without trial, amounted to a gross violation of his rights.
He added that since allegations against the embattled suspended CBN Governor contained bailable offences, the DSS ought to grant him administrative bail, pending his prosecution.
The judge was quoted to have said, “Though I am in sympathy with the Applicant (Emefiele), my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.
“The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.
“However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The Applicant is entitled to a fair hearing.
“At this point, the continued detention of the Applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him.
“At the very least, justice demands that Applicant should be released on administrative bail.
“Consequently, I hereby male an order, directing the Respondents to, within one week, charge the Applicant to court or release him on administrative bail,” the court held.