By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has filed a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
The President Bola Tinubu-led federal government, in the charge sheet, accused the embattled banker of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
The government maintained that 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, the suspended CBN Governor was 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.
It was reported that the case is yet to be assigned to a judge, but there are indications that this will be done next week.
Mr Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June 10 for investigative reasons, which were not disclosed.
The spokesman for the DSS, Mr Peter Afunanya, in a statement on Thursday, also disclosed that the agency had charged Mr Emefiele to court following an Abuja High Court ruling.
Count one of the charges said, “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.”
In the second two, the government said, “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.”
Modupe Gbadeyanka