In a landmark ruling on January 8, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Abuja fined the Federal Government 100 million naira in favor of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The judgment cited the violation of Emefiele’s right to personal liberty.
The court unequivocally declared the extended detention of Emefiele without trial as a blatant infringement of his fundamental rights. As part of the ruling, the Federal Government and its agents are now prohibited from re-arresting or detaining Emefiele without a court order.
Emefiele initiated a fundamental human rights suit against the Federal Government due to his prolonged detention by the Department of State Services. The court not only awarded the sum of N100 million in damages but also emphasized the importance of upholding fundamental rights.
In his plea, Emefiele requested the court to enforce damages of N1 billion and to prevent any further arrests or detentions without proper legal procedures. The former CBN chief was initially arrested on June 10, 2023, shortly after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu. This ruling serves as a significant step towards safeguarding individuals’ rights and ensuring justice in legal proceedings.
Be First to Comment