The Department of State Services (DSS) has re-arrested Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), following a physical altercation with Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) officials.

The incident took place in front of Nicholas Oweibo’s courtroom at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The DSS operatives clashed with prison officials over the custody of Emefiele, leading to a brawl. Subsequently, the prison officials left the court premises.

Earlier in the day, the court granted bail to Emefiele in the sum of N20 million, ruling that the charges against him were bailable. The bail was granted with one surety in a similar amount.

Emefiele had pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge related to the alleged illegal possession of firearms. The federal government accused him of having 123 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a valid license.

In response to Emefiele’s plea, his counsels, led by Joseph Daodu, a senior advocate of Nigeria, requested bail for their client on self-recognizance or other reasonable terms pending the hearing and determination of the trial. They emphasized that Emefiele is a renowned banker and will not flee the country.

However, Nkiru Nebo-Jones, a deputy director of prosecution at the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), opposed the bail application, stating that she had not seen a copy of the document.

Daodu argued that the office of the AGF was served the bail application document, with the proof of service endorsed by the AGF’s office in the court’s file.

Source: The Cable