EX-CBN Gov. Emefiele Pleads Not Guilty To illegal Firearms Possession Charge

Emefiele Being Led Into The Court By A Court Register

The embattled former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has denied the allegations of possession of firearm, filed against him by the federal government of Nigeria, as he pleaded not guilty to the two counts charge slammed on him.

Emefiele, denied the allegations, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo, of a Lagos Federal High Court, where he was arraigned on the two counts charge.

At the beginning of the arraignment before court today, othe Deputy Director of Public prosecution Mrs Joyce Nebo informed the court of the two counts charge filed against the suspended CBN governor.

Emefiele however pleaded not guilty to the charge 

Following the plea of the defendant through his lawyers who include; counsel Joseph B. Daodu, A. T Kehinde, Emeka Ozoani, Victor Opara, Dr. Emeka Obegolo, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), told the court that their client’s bail application had been filed and same has been served on the prosecution.

However, the prosecution told the court that it had not been served. 

But when confronted with the enforcement from the office of Attorney General which the prosecution said that no attorney General in the country after the last administration term lapsed. 

“We have scrutinized, even through the agency the defendant is been detained but we could not find any.

“I have not set my eye on this application which I am yet to receive and we want to respond to it.

“Spirit of comradeship demands that the defence team saw our phone numbers on the the charge filed, no call to me even when the details of my team are equally provided in the charge. 

“With due respect to the court we are seeking for a date to enable us respond both to the issues of law and the facts contained in the application which I just seeing this morning”, the prosecutor narrated.

Ruling on the issue of service and the bail application, Justice Oweibo held that there was evidence before the court that the government was served.

The court consequently, the court ordered parties to take arguments on  the bail application.

Upon taking arguments on arguments on the application, Justice Oweibo, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N20 million, with one surety in like sum.

The judge also ordered that the surety must be a Civil servant not below Grade Level 16, who is also a landed owner within the court’s jurisdiction.

By the request of the defence team, the court ordered that Emefiele be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till he is able to meet the bail terms.

The judge has adjourned till November 14, for commencement of trial.

Emefiele is standing trial on a two-count charge of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence on June 15 at Ikoyi.

He was also accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence.

The offences, according to the federal government are punishable under Sections to Section 4 and 8of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.