Court Fixes Date For Ruling On Emefiele’s Enforcement Right

An FCT High Court on Tuesday fixed the ruling in the case of enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, to July 13.

Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the matter.

In his submission, Counsel to Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

According to him, the offences listed against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.

Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Tijjani Ghazali, SAN informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.

He said Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the Department of State Services is an administrative decision of an arm of the executive.

He added that jurisdiction is determined by the reliefs sought by an applicant.

He therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application, submitting that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN governor is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.

On his part, the second and third respondents counsel, I. Awo informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application with cost.