DSS rearrests Emefiele, returns him to custody

Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, was rearrested by the Department of State Service, DSS, after being granted bail on Tuesday by the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The operatives took custody of Emefiele after a physical fight with officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The DSS had engaged the Nigeria Correctional Center over which would take custody of Emefiele, after he was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday.

The fight between the two government agencies resulted after the decision of the court which earlier ordered that the suspended Governor of the Central Bank, CBN, be remanded until he fulfils his bail requirements.

The DSS intended to return Emefiele to custody, while men of the NCoS were also on ground to move the suspended CBN governor to the correctional center following the order of the court.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court had granted bail to Emefiele after six weeks in the custody of the DSS.

He was granted bail after pleading not guilty to the two counts bordering on the alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Indeed, Emefiele was granted bail by Justice Nicholas Oweibo in the sum of N20 million and adjourned the suit till November 14.

The judge agreed with the submission of the defence counsel on the grounds that the offence for which the D
Defendant was charged was bailable.

The court held that bail can only be denied where any of the circumstances set out in Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was established.

The court held that the prosecution had not furnished such circumstances before the court.

The court consequently, granted bail to the Defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.

The court held that the surety must depose to an affidavit of means and have a landed property.

He directed that the defendant be remanded in custody of the correctional service pending perfection of bail.

However, the DSS laid siege to the court premises to rearrest him and operatives of the Ikoyi Prison resisted them, which led to altercation and outbreak of fisticuffs.

Earlier, Emefiele has arrived at the Federal High Court, in Lagos for his arraignment over  alleged illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Dressed in a cream Kaftan, the suspended CBN boss was brought to court in an unmarked Toyota pick-up van, accompanied by  DSS operatives.

Ahead of the arraignment, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrived  in court in various vehicles including a Hilux bus.

They were seen moving around and inspecting the court premises alongside in-house court security guards.

Some of the DSS operatives are in uniform while others are in mufti

Meanwhile, both counsel to the prosecution and the defence as well the trial Judge are already in court for the commencement of proceedings.

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