The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, has given Department of the State Security Service (DSS) a one-week ultimatum to either charge the detained Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele to court or set him free.
Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order while delivering a ruling in a fundamental human rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele.
According to Muazu, Emefiele has not shown that his arrest and investigation are unlawful, but noted that it is within his right to get a fair hearing.
Also read; DSS Arrests former CBN Governor Emefiele
The Judge further stated that Emefiele cannot remain in detention without a formal charge. He added that the DSS cannot use the period of Emefiele’s detention to search for evidence against him.
He held that the DSS has the power to carry out its constitutional duties of making arrests, detain, and ensuring prevention of internal crime but however, said that such duties must be carried out within the law.
Emefiele had sued the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, the Director-General of the DSS, seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity in human life.
In the suit, he had applied that his arrest and detention since June 10 without valid order of court be voided and set aside.
He also demanded a N5 million compensation as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.
On June 9, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele as CBN governor and arrested in the early hours of June 10 at his Ikoyi, Lagos home.
Since then, Emefiele has been in the detention.
