Northern CSOs Condemn Continuous Detention of Emefiele, Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos

John Shiklam in Kaduna

The Arewa Civil Society Organisations (ACSOs) has condemned the continuous detention of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Sarkin Hausawa of Lagos, Alhaji Aminu Yaro and his wife  by the Department of State Services (DSS).

In a statement yesterday, in Kaduna, chairman of the group, Adamu Musa, said the continuous detention of Emefiele and others, despite the order of the court releasing them, was “a big mockery on our judiciary.”

Musa, called  on the DSS to operate within the provisions of the law and respect court orders.

He said: “National interest supersedes personal interest,” and therefore the DSS should not stop behaving as if it is working to promote certain personal interest rather than the national.”

The group said, the DSS was, “subjecting our judiciary and nation to a big mockery and portraying the country in a bad light.

“How can the international community take us any serious when domestically we don’t treat judicial matters and ourselves according to the provisions of our laws?

“When you violate or bend the laws  to suit certain personal interest, you are directly mocking and inviting others to do same which is very bad for any nation”.

The group maintained that the earlier the assault and disrespect of the court and rule of law were addressed, the better for the nation and its democracy.

The group called on the government to be courageous, fair and sincere enough to task head of its agencies to do the right thing.

“The government should order the DSS to respect court orders,” Musa added.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High in Lagos, last week granted Emefiele, leave to serve the DG, DSS, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, by substituted means, the order of court admitting him to bail and directing his remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service(NCoS).

Justice Oweibo granted the order following an ex-parte application moved by Emefiele’s counsel, Mrs. Ogonnaya Sonuga.

The court had on July 25, 2023, granted Emefiele N20 million bail and had ordered that he should be remanded at the NCoS after he was arraigned on a 2-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

The charges bordered on alleged possession of a single barrel shot gun, as well as possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition without licences. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

However, the DSS rearrested Emefiele  within the court premises, shortly after he was granted bail.

But in an ex-parte application dated July 28, 2023, Emefiele had asked the court for “An order of this Honourable Court granting leave to the Defendant/Applicant to serve the Complainant through and on the office  and person of the Director General Department of State Services Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi with the Ruling/Order of Court obtained on the 25 day of July, 2023.”