Emefiele: The Grandstanding Arrest, Detention And twenty thousand Naira Offence if convicted
It’s no longer news that Mr Godwin Emiefele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, will be arraigned to have his day in the court on the 25th of July 2023, the hearing notice to this effect has reportedly been served on the parties
This is coming weeks after the dramatic and epoch-making arrest of Mr Emefiele by the DSS, shortly after his suspension from office by the President
If after the long and gruesome investigation in the office and residence of Emefiele, all that the DSS has found evidence to prosecute him on is the unlawful possession of a Dane gun and ammunition, they should apologize to the suspended Governor of the CBN for the travails that they put the otherwise good gentleman through and the media sensation and frenzy and drama they created around him
The offence that they are charging him with is bailable and it will take a wicked judge not to grant Emefiele bail on his first appearance in court
The last time I checked the law books, the offence of unlawful possession of a Dane gun may attract a punishment of a term of imprisonment with an option of fine, which may be up to twenty thousand Naira ( or in rare cases, both fines and imprisonment) if convicted
From the nature of the charge and the quality of legal representation available to Emefiele, it’s also very likely that the DSS may even lose the case and Emefiele may work home from the court as a free man
What Nigerians are waiting for after the Emefiele anti-climax, is what kind of charges the DSS will file (if any), against Mr Bawa, the equally suspended EFCC Chairman
Perhaps after the long detention and vigorous in-depth investigation, the only evidence against Bawa may disclose an offence of being appointed to a position of high responsibility without due regard to his age or maybe, his failure to render account for the millions of Naira he took for extensive travels, which may amount to a violation of financial instructions
This is how we are fighting corruption in the public service. Why is the suspended Account General of the Federation still facing trial?
Yusuf Shehu Usman, mni
