Suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, is facing a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms before a Federal High Court, Lagos, according to a charge slammed on him by the Federal Government.
In the two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition as contained in a charge sheet, Emefiele is accused of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
The offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the embattled CBN Governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Although, the case is yet to be assigned to a judge, Persecondnews gathered that Emefiele may be arraigned next week.
Count one of the charges reads; That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
Count two: That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Persecondnews recalls that the Department of State Services (DSS) had on June 10, 2023 arrested in Lagos and whisked off to Abuja.
Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June 10.
Justifying his detention, the spokesman for the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, said it was for “investigative reasons”.
Afunanya, in a statement on Thursday, also disclosed that the agency had charged Emefiele to court following an Abuja High Court ruling.
Meanwhile, another Federal High Court in Abuja has voided the arrest and detention of Emefiele by the DSS on Friday.
Delivering judgment, Justice Bello Kawu held that the arrest, detention, and interrogation of Mister Emefiele are in violation of the subsisting judgement and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan.
Mr Emefiele, through his Counsel, Peter Abang, had asked the court to set aside and nullify the arrest and detention of the Applicant for being illegal and a nullity in view of the subsisting judgment by another court delivered on 29th December 2022.
Justice Kawu also made an order setting aside any warrant of arrest obtained or procured by the Respondents, especially the DSS for the arrest of Emefiele in connection with the allegations of terrorism financing, fraudulent practices, money laundering, threat to national security before any court.
The court further granted an injunction restraining the respondents, particularly the DSS from arresting, detaining, or interfering with Mr. Emefiele’s personal liberty and freedom of movement.
The court finally granted an order of injunction directing and mandating the respondents, particularly the DSS to forthwith release Mr. Emefiele from any arrest or detention.
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