2023-07-14 19:52:59
Godwin Emefiele was charged following an order from the Abuja High Court.
Department of State Services (DSS) Spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya, said in a statement Thursday in Abuja that “following an order from the Abuja High Court on 13 July 2023, the DSS confirms hereby that Mr. Godwin Emefiele has been charged in court, according to law”.
« The public may recall that the service had, in 2022, sought a court order to detain him as part of a criminal investigation. Although he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court (Abuja), the service however arrested him in June 2023, on the basis of new offenses/alleged criminal information, one of which constitutes the basis of prosecution current “, he explained.
« The service assures the public of professionalism, fairness and fairness in handling this matter, as well as the exercise of its functions within the limits of the law “, did he declare.
Earlier yesterday, Judge Hamza Muazu issued a week-long ultimatum to the DSS to charge Emefiele or release him.
Judge Muazu delivered his judgment in a human rights complaint brought by Mr. Emefiele against the DSS and others.
According to the article published Friday by the Nigerian Guardian newspaper, the judge held that while the DSS has the power to carry out its constitutional functions of arrest, detention and crime prevention, such activities must fall within the framework of the law.
He added that the judge maintained that the law stipulates the conditions under which a Nigerian citizen can be detained, and for how long.
Mr. Emefiele had taken the Attorney General of the Federation and the Director General of the DSS to court, in order to enforce his fundamental right to freedom of movement and the dignity of human life.
In his legal action, Emefiele requested that his arrest and detention since June 10, without a valid court decision, be canceled and dismissed.
Emefiele also sought compensation of five million naira as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.
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