The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, is scheduled to be arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos on July 25 on two counts charges. Victor Opara (SAN), one of his lawyers confirmed that hearing notices to that effect have been sent out by the court to counsels involved in the matter.
He confirmed that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, will lead the defendant’s team.
The Federal Government has charged Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) and One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without license.
The government maintained that the offences are contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and also contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Emefiele who is in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 10, 2023, will be arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.”
Count two: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a license You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.”