It was an embarrassing show between operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) as they scuffled today over who would take suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele into custody after a court appearance.

In the ensuing milieu, a video clip obtained by CITY LAWYER showed DSS operatives manhandling their NCS counterpart inside the court premises.

The show of shame came on the heels of an order of the Federal High Court granting bail to the erstwhile CBN helmsman.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo had admitted the embattled apex bank chief to bail in the sum of N20 million. He ordered that Emefiele should be remanded at Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions.

In a clear indication that the reprieve for the embattled banker would be short-lived, DSS operatives took strategic positions within the court premises to re-arrest him. This led to tension within the court premises and a scuffle between DSS and NCS operatives. NCS operatives are mandated to take the defendant into custody pending perfection of his bail.

Protests by Emefiele’s Lead Counsel, Mr. Joseph Daudu SAN and other lawyers who frowned at the display by the DSS operatives inside the court premises did not deter them from whisking away the top banker.

Justice Oweibo had granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum. The court rejected the Federal Government’s claim that Emefiele was a flight risk, adding that the government did not provide any fact to support its claim.

Daudu had urged the court to grant bail on self-recognizance or on other liberal terms pending the hearing and determination of the case.

His words: “There is no counter affidavit from the Federal Government opposing bail. Also, the defendant is a renowned banker and can only stay at his house; he can’t travel anywhere.”

But the counsel to the Federal Government, Nkiru Jones-Nebo, countered him, saying the prosecution had not been given time to respond in line with the provisions of fair hearing enshrined in the constitution.

She also said that the prosecution had information that the defendant’s refusal to hand in his passport suggested his capacity to abscond and evade trial.

She said: “As the governor of the CBN, he is a powerful man, and can intimidate the witnesses. Granting him bail will intimidate the prosecution witnesses who have come forward to give evidence. He can evade trial based on his antecedents. We urge the court to dismiss the bail application.”

But the court disagreed with her. Justice Oweibo ruled as follows: “I find and hold that the prosecution has failed to establish why the defendant should not be granted bail.

“Consequently, the defendant is admitted to bail in the sum of 20 million naira with one surety in like sum. The surety must be owner of a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court who must not be less than Level 16 in the Nigerian Civil Service. The defendant must deposit his international passport to the court.

“Case is adjourned to 14th of November for trial.”

Emefiele is standing trial on a two-count charge, including possession of a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. The alleged offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.

The suspended CBN Governor is also charged with having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(ii) of the same Act.

President Bola Tinubu had on June 9, 2023 suspended Emefiele as the CBN Governor. The DSS stated a day later that the suspended CBN chieftain was in its custody.

Watch video:

PHOTO CREDIT: THE CABLE

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