FG moves to withdraw firearm suit against Emefiele, files 20 new charges

The administration of President Bola Tinubu has orally applied to withdraw the illegal possession of firearm suit slammed on Godwin Emefiele, the ousted governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mr Emefiele was arraigned on two-count charge of possessing a short gun and some live ammunitions, months after he was suspended and arrested.

He was later arraigned after the court ordered the agency of the federal government detaining him to do so or have him released.

Appearing before Justice Nicholas Oweibo on Tuesday, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Bakodo Abubakar, made the government position known.

Mr Abubakar told the judge that further investigation led to the development which was opposed by the defence counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN).

Mr Dauda prayed that the application to withdraw the suit should not be granted while his client is still being detained by the State Security Service (SSS) who rearrested him last month after the court in Lagos State granted him bail.

He argued that the conduct of the SSS was in disobedience to the order of the court.

After listening to the parties, the judge adjourned to August 18 for ruling.

In a related development, the Nation Newspaper reports that the government has filed 20 fresh new charges against the ousted apex bank official.

Quoting Mr Abubakar, the news medium said the fresh charges which included – conferring unlawful advantages – were filed at a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.