COURT ORDERS DSS TO GRANT EMEFIELE ACCESS TO FAMILY, LAWYERS

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A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the Department of State Services’ director general, Yusuf Bichi, to allow suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele access to his family and lawyers.

After being suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, Emefiele was taken into custody by the DSS.

On Friday, Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court issued the directive while reiterating that Emefiele’s access is a fundamental right.

The enrolled order, dated June 16, 2023, states that the applicant’s attorneys must have immediate access to the applicant. And frequently while reasonably awaiting the outcome of the application.
In his acquiescence

Following an application submitted by Emefiele’s attorney, J.B. Saudi SAN, who informed the court that the DSS had not responded to earlier letters asking access to his client, the court issued the order.

I. Awo, Esq., the attorney for the second and third respondents, said that the DSS had not previously been known to deny such requests and that it was improper to deny access.

Awo was nevertheless confident that the security agency would follow the court order and permit the named attorneys and family members to visit Emefiele.

The application was not opposed by the Federation’s attorney general’s office.

In the meantime, an extension of time to file their responses to the originating motion was requested by the attorneys for the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The motion was granted, and the case was further postponed to Tuesday, June 19, 2023, when the substantive suit would be heard.