[BREAKING] Emefiele: New Twist As Lawyers File Contempt Charge Against DSS DG (DETAILS)

[BREAKING] Emefiele: New Twist As Lawyers File Contempt Charge Against DSS DG (DETAILS)

A group of constitutional and human rights lawyers has taken legal action against the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, for alleged contempt of court.

The lawyers claim that Bichi violated multiple court orders directing the release of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria governor, from DSS custody.

Led by Maxwell Opara and Ahmed Tijani, the lawyers have initiated committal proceedings, seeking to have Bichi imprisoned until he purges himself of contempt.

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They have filed a motion before the court, requesting the issuance of Form 48 and Form 49, which are the forms used to commence proceedings to commit a contemnor to prison.

The lawyers argue that based on the judgments and orders of Justice M. A. Hassan, Justice Hamza Muazu, and Justice Bello Kawu, the DSS DG should have released Emefiele from detention.

In the supporting affidavit, the consortium states that Justice M. A. Hassan had issued a restraining order against the DSS, specifically prohibiting the agency from arresting, detaining, or interrogating Emefiele for offenses related to terrorism financing, money laundering, round tripping, and other financial crimes.

They contend that despite the clear and explicit orders of Justice Hassan, the DSS still arrested and detained Emefiele for over a month, searching for evidence that does not exist.

Speaking to journalists after filing their documents, Opara emphasized that the group would pursue the case to its conclusion and ensure that Bichi is imprisoned as a deterrent to other security agency heads and government officials who might consider contempt of court and abuse of office.

Opara also called on President Bola Tinubu to dismiss Bichi from his position as DSS DG, alleging that Bichi misled the president by claiming that Emefiele had committed serious crimes against the state, only to later charge him with possession of a validly registered pump-action rifle.

The lawyer stated that since there was no valid court order and no evidence against Emefiele had been found by the DSS, Emefiele was entitled to his release.

Opara concluded that the continued detention by the DSS was unlawful and violated Emefiele’s rights, and therefore the consortium would ensure that Bichi is committed to prison.