June 16, (THEWILL) – A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Maitama District, has ordered the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, to provide unrestricted access to the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, for his lawyers and family members.
The court emphasised that the access is a fundamental constitutional right of Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu, gave the order following an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Daudu (SAN).
Daudu told the court that the DSS had failed to respond to previous letters requesting access to his client.
Counsel to the second and third Respondents, I. Awo, Esq, however asserted that the DSS has not been known to reject such requests in the past and that the denial of access was inappropriate.
However, Awo expressed confidence that the Security Service would comply with the court order and allow the listed lawyers and family members to visit Emefiele.
The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, however, did not oppose to the application.
Meanwhile, both the counsels to the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, requested an extension of time to file their responses to the Originating Motion.
The court granted the request, leading to a further adjournment of the suit to Tuesday, June 19, 2023, when the substantive matter will be heard.
Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.
