The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has ordered the Department of the State Security Service (DSS), to charge embattled suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Godwin Emefiele to Court within seven days or release him .
Justice Hamza Muazu issued the order on Thursday while delivering ruling in a Fundamental Human Rights suit instituted against the DSS and others by Emefiele through his counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN).
The judge ruled that the DSS has power to carry out it’s Constitutional duties of making arrest, detain and ensuring prevention of internal crimes but such duties must be carried out within the ambit of the law.
He said the arrest power of DSS was not at large as the law stipulated conditions under which a Nigerian citizen must be held and for how long.
Justice Muazu said the applicant is being detained by the order of Chief Magistrate Court for 14 days which has elapsed and can not be held indefinitely.
Emefiele who was arrested on June 10, 2023 had dragged the Attorney General of the Federation(AGF), Director General DSS and DSS to Court seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights to freedom of movement and dignity to human life.
The suspended CBN Governor had applied that his arrest and detention since June 10 without valid order of court should be voided and set aside.
The court refused to grant Emefiele’s demand of N5bn compensation as exemplary damages for the alleged unlawful detention .