A high court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has given the Department of State Services, DSS, one week ultimatum to release former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, or charge him to court.
The presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, gave the ultimatum on Thursday following a suit filed by Emefiele seeking the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.
The judge declared in his ruling:
“Detention, no matter how small, can amount to a breach of fundamental rights.
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“Though I am in sympathy with the applicant (Emefiele), my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the applicant.
“The applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful.
“However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The applicant is entitled to fair hearing.
“At this point, the continued detention of the applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him.
“At the very least, justice demands that applicant should be released on administrative bail.
“Consequently, I hereby make an order, directing the respondents to within one week, charge the applicant to court or release him on administrative bail.”
It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele from office on June 9.
The DSS has since held him for investigation.
