*The former CBN boss now face charges of ‘conferring advantages’
*His lawyer kicks says DSS is in contempt of court order
By Eze Chidozie and Stellamaries Amuwa
The Federal Government on Tuesday applied to withdraw the charge bothering on illegal possession of firearms filed against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar who approached the Federal High Court in Ikoyi through an oral application said the withdrawal followed the result of further investigations.
Abubakar however disclosed that fresh charges with 20-counts had been filed against Emefiele at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
He made this known while speaking with journalists after the day’s proceedings, stressing that one of the fresh charges accused Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.
On July 25, Emefiele was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on “illegal possession of firearms” at a Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Alhaji Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar, told Justice Nicholas Oweibo, the presiding Judge that the application to withdraw the illegal arms followed the result of further investigations.
He made the application orally.
But defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) opposed him, arguing that because the federal government was in disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail, its application could not be taken.
The judge had on July 25, admitted Emefiele to a N20million bail on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
But the DSS rather than allow the court’s decision stand, physically assulted operatives of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and rearrested the embattled bank chief.
Ruling on whether the applications were ripe for hearing, the judge noted that the application of the prosecution has been concluded and was ripe for hearing but because the defence has not responded to the further counter affidavit served on him in court, it will be best for the applications to be taken jointly in one day.
Consequently, the judge adjourned the matter to August 15, for hearing of all applications.
