NATIONAL NATIONAL News

Court Directs DSS To Grant Emefiele Access To Lawyer, Family

Written by Bunmi Abdulraheem

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting at Maitama Abuja has ordered the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Service to immediately grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, unrestricted access to his lawyers and family members.

Justice Muazu gave the directive on Friday following an application by a Senior Advocate Nigeria, Joseph Bodurin Daudu, counsel to Emefiele.

He said it was within his constitutional right.

Mr Daudu told the court that he had written letters to the DSS, precisely on June 14, for the purpose of taking further instruction from him, but the DSS has refused to respond to the application. 

Counsel to DSS, Idowu Awopeju, informed the court that the Service did not have the penchant for refusing such a request. 

He expressed optimisim that the security service would abide by the order of the Court and grant access to the listed lawyers and family members of Emefiele.

Also, Counsel to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application. 

Meanwhile, Counsel to the DSS and the Office of the AGF, requested for more time to file their respective responses to the originating motion, which was granted.

Justice Hamza Muazu therefore adjourned untill Tuesday, June 19 for hearing of the substantive suit.

On Saturday June 10, Godwin Emefiele was arrested by the DSS following his suspension as Governor of the Apex Bank by President Bola Tinubu on the evening of Friday June 9, 2023.

RN