Breaking: Drama as DSS, Prison Officials Fight over Emefiele

By Wale Igbintade

There was drama as operatives of the Department of State Services and officials of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre clashed at the Federal High Court in Lagos, over who was to take the suspended governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, into custody.

Shortly after Emefiele was granted bail by Justice Nicholas Oweibo and the suit was adjourned till November 14, some DSS operatives were seen in strategic locations and close to the court entrance.

Justice Oweibo had Tuesday granted bail in the sum of N20 million to Emefiele who was charged with illegal possession of firearms.

The judge agreed with the submission of the defence counsel on the grounds that the offence for which the D
Defendant was charged was bailable.

The court held that bail can only be denied where any of the circumstances set out in Section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was established.

The court held that the prosecution had not furnished such circumstances before the court.

The court consequently, granted bail to the Defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum.

The court held that the surety must depose to an affidavit of means and have a landed property.

He directed that the defendant be remanded in custody of the correctional service pending perfection of bail.

However, the DSS laid siege to the court premises to rearrest him and operatives of the Ikoyi Prison resisted them, which led to altercation and outbreak of fisticuffs.

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