UPDATED: Emefiele Arraigned, Pleads Not Guilty To Firearm Charges

The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Tuesday morning, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on two-count charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition.

Emefiele was arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo, after over six weeks since his arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

After several legal fireworks by Emefiele’s counsel challenging his prolonged detention by the DSS, the secret police bowed to pressure on July 13, 2023 and announced that the suspended apex bank govenor had been charged to court.

Emefiele was brought to court by DSS operatives in a hilux vehicle at about 9:21am.

Appearing before Justice Oweibo, Emefiele pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, SAN led other lawyers in Emefiele’s defence team.

After Emefiele’s plea, Daudu told the court that his client has been in detention for weeks. He also told Justice Oweibo that the application for bail had been filed and served on the prosecution.

But, the DSS raised objection to the court hearing the bail application, insisting that it has not been served.

Details Later…