The Federal High Court in Lagos has rejected the Federal Government’s claim that it had not received a copy of the bail application filed by the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele in his alleged gun possession trial.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo held that there was evidence that the government was served.
The bail application was filed by Emefiele’s lawyers led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Dauda.
Dauda had prayed the court to hear the banker’s application seeking bail on self recognizance, noting that his client had fulfilled all the conditions necessary to make the application ripe for hearing.
He noted that the proof of service endorsed by the AGF’s office was in the court’s file.
Dauda also urged the court to end the oppression of his client by the Department of State Security (DSS) which arrested him and hear the bail application.
Emefiele is standing trial on a two-count charge which accuses him of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
The Federal Government, which is prosecuting him, maintains that the offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which was contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Arguments for his Bail is Ongoing as we speak.
