Our Reporter, Abuja
The Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted bail to Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank Governor.
Emefiele was arraigned Tuesday morning on a two-count charge which accused him of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence on June 15; and having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which was contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
The suspended apex bank chief pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Emefiele arrived around 9:20am driven in a DSS Hilux van.
The Federal Government, which is prosecuting him, maintained that the offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
Justice Nicholas Oweibo however granted N20million bail bond to Emefiele with one surety in the like sum.
The judge discountenanced the Federal Government’s claim that Emefiele was a flight risk saying that the government failed to provide any fact to support its claim.
The embattled Emefiele had filed the application through his team of lawyers led by Chief Joseph Daudu, SAN, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Details shortly…
