High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Friday, July 14, 2023, overturned the arrest of the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele by the Department of State Services.
The Court, presided over by Justice Bello Kawu, held that the arrest, detention, and interrogation of Emefiele, was in violation of a subsisting judgment and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan.
The embattled Emefiele through his Counsel, Peter Abang, had prayed the Court to set aside and nullify his arrest and detention, saying that it was illegal and a nullity in view of a subsisting judgment of another court which was delivered on December 29, 2022.
Accordingly, Justice Kawu made an order setting aside any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the Respondents, especially the DSS for the arrest of Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering and threat to national security before any court.
Justice Kawu also granted an injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interfering with Mr. Emefiele’s personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The court equally granted an order of injunction directing and mandating the Respondents, particularly the DSS to forthwith release and set free Emefiele from any arrest and/or detention whatsoever
