Court knocks out DSS application seeking extension of Emefiele's detention

A motion by the Department of State Services (DSS) asking for a 14-day prolonged detention order for the suspended Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, was denied by Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.

The DSS allegedly found new evidence that served as the foundation for their submission.

The DSS legal team secretly filed the application on Wednesday, and today it was presented before the vacation judge.

The application was rejected by Justice Muazu due to jurisdictional issues and abuse of the legal system.

The DSS’s attorney, Mr. Victor Ejelonu, decided to withdraw the case when the judge questioned him regarding the court’s jurisdiction and pointed out that Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act provide the Magistrate Court exclusive authority to issue detention orders.

Mr. Emefiele was re-arrested by the DSS from the Federal High Court premises in Lagos, following his confinement in a Correctional Centre while awaiting the completion of bail conditions granted by Justice Nicholas Oweibo.