JUST IN: FG files fresh 20 charges against Emefiele

….seeks to withdraw Lagos case

There could not be end in sight in the war between president Bola Tinubu-led administration and former Central Bank of Nigeria—CBN, Godwin Emefiele as the former on Tuesday applied to withdraw the “illegal possession of firearms” case it filed against the embattled bank chief at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the application followed the result of further investigations. He made his application orally.

But defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) opposed him, arguing that because the government was in disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail, its application could not be taken.

Recall that the court had on July 25, admitted Emefiele to a N20 million bail on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.

But the DSS rearrested the embattled bank chief after fighting off NCoS officials on the court’s premises.

Meanwhile, speaking with newsmen after the day’s proceedings Mr. Abubakar said the fresh charges – with 20 counts – were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

One of the counts accuses Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.

Kalu Idika

See author's posts