July 22, (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court, Lagos, has fixed Tuesday, July 25, for hearing on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, filed by the Federal Government against Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank Governor.
Emefiele will be arraigned before a vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
One of his lawyers, Victor Opara (SAN), confirmed the development.
Opara said the former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu (SAN), will lead a team of lawyers to defend Emefiele.
The DSS had detained Emefiele since his arrest on Saturday, June 10, after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Friday, June 9.
According to the charges, the Federal Government is accusing Emefiele of illegal possession of a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
The Government said the offence is contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, Emefiele is being accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which is contrary to section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about the 15th of June 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession one (1) Single Barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence. You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap. F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.”
Count two: “That you, Godwin Emefiele, Male, of No. 8 Colorado Street Maitama Abuja, on or about June 15, 2023, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi, Eti Osa Local Government, Lagos State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, had in your possession One Hundred and Twenty-Three (123) Rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence You thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.”
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