The Department of State Services (DSS) has been ordered to either charge the detained suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to court or set him free.
The directive was issued on Thursday by Justice Hamza Muazu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Muazu gave the security agency one week to arraign Emefiele or release him from detention.
While delivering his ruling in the fundamental human rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele, the judge stated that while the security agency has the power to carry out its constitutional duties of making arrests, detention and ensuring the prevention of internal crime, such duties must be carried out within the ambit of the law.
Justice Muazu pointed out that Emefiele’s arrest is not beyond the stipulated conditions under which a Nigerian citizen must be held and for how long.
Included in Emefiele’s suit seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity of human life are the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Director General of the DSS and the DSS.
The suspended CB Governor is demanding N5 million in compensation as exemplary damages for his alleged unlawful detention.
