Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama, yesterday ordered the Director General of the Department of the State Security Services (SSS) and the agency to grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank (CBN), Godwin Emefiele unhindered access to his lawyers and family members.
The order was sequel to an oral application by Emefiele’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN) with Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) in suit FCT/HC/CV/6450/23.
The judge said: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately and regularly at reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
Listed as respondents in the fundamental rights application are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Director General of SSS and the SSS.
Daudu told the court that he had written letters to the respondents particularly on June 14, 2023, for the purpose of taking further instruction from Emefiele but the SSS refused to respond.
Counsel to the SSS and its DG, I. Awo said his clients do not usually refuse such a request, as it is wrong to do so.
Awo assured the court that his clients would abide by its order by granting access to the listed lawyers and family members of Mr. Emefiele to see him.
Counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.
The respondents, however, requested extension of time to file their responses to the suit.
The request was also granted and the matter was adjourned to June 20, 2023 for the hearing of the substantive suit.
Emefiele was arrested by the agency last Saturday,24 hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on account of ” ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy
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