Court strikes out DSS suit seeking to keep Emefiele in Detention

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja today July 27 struck out an application filed by the Department of State Services (DSS) seeking a 14-day extended detention order for the suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

In the application filed by DSS legal team on Wednesday, July 26 before a vacation judge, the security agency said it sought the extension for Emefiele's detention based on new evidence found against him.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Muazu struck out the application, stating that it is an abuse of court process and lacks any jurisdiction. 

Upon questioning by the judge about the court’s jurisdiction, given the exclusive rights of the Magistrate Court to grant detention orders under Sections 293 and 296 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, the DSS’s counsel, Mr. Victor Ejelonu, opted to withdraw the matter.

Recall that Emefiele was re-arrested by the DSS on Tuesday, July 25 inside the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, shortly after he was granted N20 million bail.