…drops Illegal Possession of Firearm Charge filed in Lagos
There appears to be more trouble for Godwin Emefiele as the Federal Government files fresh 20 charges against him in Abuja.
ENigeria Newspaper had reported that the FG applied orally for the withdrawal of the earlier charges against the embattled and ousted Central Bank of Nigeria Governor.
According to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, in an oral application, told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the application followed the result of further investigations.
However, in a subsequent development, ENigeria Newspaper understands that the FG has now filed fresh 20 more charges against Emefiele in Abuja, this is even as it moves to withdraw the initial charge of illegal possession of a firearm filed at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
But defense counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) opposed the DPP’s application, arguing that because the government was in disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail, its application could not be taken.
The judge had on July 25, admitted Emefiele to a N20 million bail on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
But the DSS rearrested the embattled bank chief after fighting off NCoS officials on the court’s premises.
The Nation gathered that the government has filed fresh charges against Emefiele in Abuja.
Speaking with journalists after the day’s proceedings Mr. Abubakar said the fresh charges – with 20 counts – were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.
One of the counts accuses Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.