The Nigerian government has charged the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, on two count charges which include illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
Penpushing reports that the State Security Services (SSS) filed the charged against Emefiele at the Federal High Court, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday July 13, 2023, but as at the time of filing this report the case has not been assigned to a judge.
The charges, however, came the same day a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the State Security Service (SSS) one-week ultimatum to either charge the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor in court or release him.
Penpushing further reports that the security agency in the newly filed case accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence; an offence said to be contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
The second count stated that he(Emefiele) illegally possessed 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence, an offence is also said to be contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Penpushing also reports that it is recalled that the State Security Services (SSS) in a desperate move to obtain an order for his arrest, had stated on oath in December 2022 that he was sponsoring the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The security outfit in a slew of weighty allegations accused him of sabotaging President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, financing terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, and committing other economic crimes to undermine Nigeria’s national security.
Penpushing also reports that the agency in similar vein, accused Emefiele of mismanaging the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) subsidiary, NISRAL, and the Central Bank’s Anchor Borrowers Programme, while the authorities filed the lighter charges after over one month of holding him in custody, but it is unclear if the agency plans to file additional charges against him.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, John Tsoho, who heard the agency’s application for an arrest order against the suspended Central Bank (CBN), had dismissed the request on the grounds of improper procedure.
Penpushing reports that it is also recalled that the State Security Service (SSS) had arrested Emefiele on 10 June, 2023 and kept him in custody for over a month without charge until Thursday’s ruling by the judge.
The human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, reacting over the development said the State Security Service(SSS) is essentially a political tool in the hands of every occupant at the presidency, arguing that the allegation of illegal firearms possession is a crime for the police.
‘The SSS is essentially a political tool in the hands of every occupant of Aso Rock. They are notorious for bungling cases and creating needless political tensions. The SSS needs to rethink its involvement in cases. It is becoming very embarrassing’, Effiong said
Penpushing further reports that the legal practitioner on his Facebook page on Saturday argued that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN’s) currency redesign policy under Emefiele’s watch was not a crime, and that it was immaterial if not properly implemented
‘The Naira redesign policy is not a crime, and it is immaterial whether it was properly implemented. It seems the suspension and arrest of Emefiele were not propelled by any interest in holding him accountable for the mismanagement of public resources, but a political vendetta. Where are the charges on terrorism financing? Why is Mr Tinubu handling this case like this?” he said
Penpushing also report that Effiong while criticizing the handling of Emefiele’s arrest and detention for over a month without trial, pointed out that many Nigerians applauded Emefiele’s suspension owing to the hardships the naira redesign policy occasioned on them.
The lawyer declared that the State Security Services(SSS) has taken Nigerians for granted again, adding that he’s upset about the two-count charge filed against the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) Governor.
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