An High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Thursday, ordered the Department of State Services, DSS to release the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele or charge him to court within seven days.

Justice Hamza Muazu gave the order in a ruling on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Emefiele challenging his detention by the DSS.

In an originating motion on notice, Emefiele had prayed the court to enforce his right to liberty and freedom of movement, as there is no basis for his continuous detention.

However, the Attorney General of the Federation as well as the DSS have insisted that the detention of the suspended CBN Governor is lawful.

While ruling on the motion, the court held that it was unlawful for the Federal Government to continue to detain Emefiele without charging him to court.

 

The Secret police arrested Emefiele and has been in custody since June 10 after his suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a day earlier.

The embattled Governor of the apex bank, under suspension, is facing allegations bothering on terrorism financing, IPOB financing, economic sabotage, amongst other charges.