On Tuesday the Department of Security Service finally arraigned the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefile over charges of alleged gun possession.
According to reports, Mr Emefile was arraigned before a divisional federal high court in Lagos before Justice Nicholas Oweibo on two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Mr Emefile was said to have pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him.
Following arguments from both the defence and prosecuting attorneys, the judge decided that Mr Emefile should be given bail in a sum of N20 million.
Justice Oweibo also ordered that the suspended CBN governor be kept in prison pending the fulfilment of his bail terms.
Following the judge’s verdict, however, trouble ensued in courts when DSS agents insisted on keeping the suspended CBN governor in its custody.
According to videos which have gone viral across social media, a number of DSS officers dressed in black camouflage were seen storming towards an NCS officer, yanking his uniform open to his inner singlet.
Popular social commentator, Shehu Sani, on Twitter said, “The expectation of the Nation is that there is a genuine effort to investigate the financial recklessness and plunder of the Central Bank under the Buhari administration, bring the collaborators and beneficiaries to book and recover looted funds where necessary. We are asking for the money they are showing us the Gun.
@Tokunboadeshina on Twitter said, “This is an embarrassing sight, especially on the day of MPC decision
@Whyfash on Twitter also said, “This is so embarrassing and highly shameful. Yepa
Also on Twitter, @Siakimuktar said, “Even child custody battle doesn’t often get this messy. They must think he can still give out BDC licenses and allocate dollars at bank rate, to court his custody this bad.😁
“I wonder why Nigeria never enter Netflix o 😆, shame dey catch me for this country .. Na wao’” @Dorisfabrics said.
Long Trial
Last month President Bola Tinubu suspended Mr Emefile on allegations of corruption and terrorism financing. He was subsequently taken into custody by Nigeria’s secret police, until his arraignment in court today.
On 13 July, the court ordered the DG of the service of SSS, Yusuf Bichi, to release Mr Emefile or charge him to court.
Reacting to the ruling, the DSS issued a statement announcing it has charged the suspended CBN governor to court.
Last week, News.ng reported how the DSS berated Mr Emefile’s lawyer, Maxwell Okpara, describing him as a charge and bail lawyer and an IPOB apologist for allegedly criticizing Mr Bichi.