The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Godwin Emiefele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) or charge him to court within one week.
The presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, gave the order on Thursday after hearing the arguments of all parties in the matter.
Justice Muazu in his ruling observed that detention no matter how short is a breach of fundamental rights and it must be determined whether detention is legal or illegal.
He, therefore, ordered the DSS to release Emefiele within seven days.
President Bola Tinubu had suspended Emefiele and ordered a probe of the apex bank under his watch.
The secret police had reportedly trailed him to Lagos, where he was arrested and flown to Abuja.
His family members, associates and lawyers were reportedly barred from visiting him, making them to file the suit to challenge his arrest and detention.
The former CBN governor, therefore filed a suit to challenge his detention.
Joined as respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation; the Director General of the DSS and the DSS.
In the suit, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Emefiele’s counsel, said the fundamental human rights of his clients was violated.
But the DSS, through its counsel, I. Awo, objected, saying Emefiele’s detention was lawful as the agency got an order of a Chief Magistrates’ Court to keep the top banker in custody pending conclusion of investigation.
