In a recent development, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued an order directing Yusuf Bichi, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), to allow the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, have access to his legal counsel and family members.
Emefiele was apprehended by the DSS on Saturday, shortly after President Bola Tinubu suspended him from his position.
Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court emphasized that granting access is a constitutional right of Emefiele, leading to the issuance of the order on Friday.
The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, reads: “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
The court’s decision came after Emefiele’s lawyer, J.B. Saudi SAN, submitted an application stating that the DSS had neglected to respond to earlier letters seeking permission to meet with his client.
The court order was thus prompted by the lawyer’s argument, highlighting the DSS’s failure to address the requests for access to Emefiele.
I. Awo Esq, representing the second and third respondents, argued that the DSS has a history of not refusing such access requests and deemed the denial of access inappropriate.
However, Awo expressed confidence that the security service would comply with the court order and permit the specified lawyers and family members to visit Emefiele.
The Attorney-General of the Federation’s office did not contest the application.
Meanwhile, both the DSS counsel and the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office requested an extension of time to respond to the Originating Motion.
The court granted the request and scheduled the substantive suit for a hearing on Tuesday, June 19, 2023.
