JUST IN: FG Seeks To Withdraw Firearms Case Against Emefiele, Files 20 Fresh Charges Including “Conferring Unlawful Advantages”

The Federal Government has submitted a request to withdraw the case it filed against the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for alleged illegal possession of firearms at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

In an oral application, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mohammed Abubakar, told Justice Nicholas Oweibo that the application followed the result of further investigations.

However, counsel for Emefiele, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, opposed the application insisting that the government must first purge itself of the disobedience of the court’s order granting Emefiele bail before its application could be taken.

Justice Oweibo has adjourned till Thursday, August 17, 2023, to rule on the application.

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.

It was 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”.