They are charge and bail lawyers, DSS mocks contempt charge against Bichi

The Department of State Services (DSS) has described a coalition of 50 lawyers seeking the arrest of its director general, Yusuf, over contempt of court, as charge and bail lawyers.

Recall that a group of human rights lawyers had filed in court a contempt charge against the DSS Director General, Yusuf Bichi over the continued detention of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, despite a court order for his release.

Form 48 (notification of consequences of disobedience to a court order), and Form 49 (seeking to commit an alleged contemnor to prison), were filed at the Abuja Federal High Court.

An affidavit attached to the applications by the group of 60 lawyers, led by Maxwell Opara and Ahmed Tijani, accused Bichi of disobeying subsisting court judgments over Emefiele’s arrest and detention.

Recall that an Abuja High Court nullified the arrest and detention of Emefiele by the DSS and ordered for his immediate release.

But a statement published on the Twitter handle of the DSS, described the lawyers that filed the contempt charge against Bichi as charge and bail lawyers who are Biafra sympathisers.

The statement reads: “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other likeminded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression.

“A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs???? What a contradiction…..hmmm…what’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”