After all the noise, the Department of State Service (DSS) has finally charged the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition
The charge of illegally possessing of firearms is a downgrade of much weightier allegations of terrorism financing and economic sabotage which the DSS earlier levelled against Emefiele.
The case is based on two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
A copy of the charges shared on the television’s website showed that the case was filed on Thursday (13 July), the same day a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the DSS one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him.
The DSS had held Emefiele, who was arrested on 10 June, for over a month without charge until Thursday’s ruling.
In the newly filed case, the agency accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence; an offence said to be contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the DSS charged him with illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a licence. The offence is also said to be contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
The case has not been assigned to a judge.
Source: Channels Television reports.
