Grant Godwin Emefiele Unrestricted Access To Lawyers And Family – Court Orders DSS

The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been directed to immediately provide the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, with unrestricted access to his legal team and family members. This order has been issued by Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

The decision to grant Emefiele access to his lawyers and family members comes after his arrest by the DSS on Saturday, shortly following his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening. The suspension had raised questions and concerns regarding Emefiele’s legal rights and access to legal representation.

The court’s order was a result of an application made by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Daudu SAN, who informed the court that he had previously written letters to the DSS on June 14, seeking instructions from his client, but had not received any response from the security agency.

In response to the application, the counsel representing the second and third respondents, I. Awo, stated that the DSS typically does not refuse such requests, deeming it inappropriate for them to do so.

He expressed confidence that the security service would comply with the court order and allow Emefiele’s listed lawyers and family members to visit him. The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation did not oppose the application.

Meanwhile, both the counsel for the DSS and the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their respective responses to the originating motion. The court granted this request, leading to the adjournment of the hearing for the substantive suit until Tuesday, June 19.