Unlawful Detention: Court fines FG, EFCC N100m  for violation of Emefiele’s Rights

The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ruled for the Federal Government to compensate Mr Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN Governor, with a sum of N100 million for infringing upon his fundamental rights.

Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, delivering a verdict on Monday, deemed Emefiele’s extended detention without trial by security agencies illegal and against the Constitution. The court ruled that the Federal Government violated Emefiele’s rights as outlined in the 1999 Constitution. As a result, the court has restrained the government and its agents from re-arresting or detaining Emefiele without proper court authorization.

The ruling came after the former CBN governor filed a lawsuit to challenge his extended detention by the Department of State Services, citing violations of his fundamental rights. One of his requests was for the court to grant him N1 billion in damages.

This incident occurred following President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Emefiele from his position as the head of the central bank on June 9. He was arrested by the EFCC on November 28, 2023, and he was charged on six counts related to alleged involvement in procurement fraud.

He was granted bail amounting to N300 million and instructed to present two sureties, emphasized by the trial court to be Abuja residents owning property within the Maitama District. The defendant couldn’t meet these conditions until December 23, when he was finally released.

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