Mr.Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday approached the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, challenging his detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Emefiele is asking the court to enforce his right to liberty and freedom of movement, claiming that there is no basis for his detention.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and the DSS however avow that the detention of Emefiele is right, proper and lawful.
In a preliminary objection filed against the fundamental rights enforcement suit instituted by Emefiele, the Attorney-General and the DSS avowed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Abuja, that Emefiele’s detention was backed by an order of a magistrates’ court and prayed for the court to dismiss the motion with cost.
Both agencies observed that the arrest of the Emefiele was an administrative decision of the DSS.
The Attorney-General of the Federation is further challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the suit, as the originating motion filed by Emefiele ought to have sought that the court set aside the order for his detention rather than seek enforcement of rights.
The DSS, on its part, is also challenging the motion for bail filed by Mr Emefiele.
The case was adjourned to July 13 for ruling.
On June 10, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele from office as Governor of the Central Bank. Shortly after his suspension, the DSS announced it had arrested and detained him.
Government said the suspension was to allow for an “ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.”
