The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned Tuesday’s altercation between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) over the custody of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
The secret Police and prison Officials engaged in a fight at the premises of the Federal High Court, Lagos, after Justice Nicholas Oweibo admitted Emefiele to bail in the sum of N20 million. Although the Judge ordered that Emefiele be remanded at the correctional center pending the fulfillment of the bail conditions, DSS rearrested him and took him back to their custody.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, urged the leadership of the two institutions to take immediate disciplinary measures against the officers involved in the ‘disgraceful conduct’.
“While it is difficult not to hold the leadership of the two federal government agencies directly responsible for the shameful and disgraceful conduct of its personnel, one cannot discount the possible overzealousness or excesses of the officers involved, as being responsible for what we witnessed today. This incident regrettably is further evidence of the lack of discipline and absence of professionalism that continues to plague key security institutions in Nigeria, which, without a doubt, is largely responsible for the limited progress in achieving a coordinated response to security concerns across the country.
“A situation where officers of Federal Government agencies engage in a fight as witnessed by the public, for whatever reason, is antithetical to our security as a nation and creates a recipe for anarchy and chaos. Both the DSS and the NCoS are important institutions dealing with national security and administration of justice respectively, and the need for them to work in concert towards attaining justice in a secured Nigeria cannot be overemphasized.
“The NBA further condemns the brazen disrespect for the sanctity of the court premises. The courts and judicial processes remain the barometer by which the conduct of persons or agencies of government are gauged in assessing the rule of law.
“The NBA calls on the two agencies to take immediate disciplinary measures against the officers involved in this disgraceful conduct. In addition, there is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of the institutions and a total reorientation of the personnel, to achieve professionalism and ensure synergy in the discharge of their respective constitutional responsibilities.”
Emefiele’s Arrest and Arraignment
Emefiele was arrested by DSS on June 10, 2023, for ‘some investigative reasons’ following his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
After weeks of being detained, the embattled apex bank’s chief was arraigned before the Federal High Court, Lagos, on two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted bail.
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