The Department of State Services (DSS) had filed a request to extend the detention of the suspended Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, by 14 days, presenting alleged new evidence against him. However, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the application, citing it as an abuse of the court process and stating that the court lacked jurisdiction to rule on the matter.
The application was made following Mr. Emefiele’s re-arrest by the DSS after the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered him to be remanded in a correctional center until he paid his bail, set at 20 million naira ($26,000; £20,000).
On Tuesday, there was a heated clash between the DSS and correctional services officials over the custody of Mr. Emefiele, resulting in condemnation from the DSS, which vowed to investigate the incident.
Mr. Emefiele, aged 61, has been charged by the DSS with illegal possession of a shotgun and ammunition, a charge which he denies. His trial is scheduled to take place on November 14.