The FCT High Court on Tuesday fixed July 13 for ruling in the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.
Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the matter.
In his submission, counsel to Mr Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, argued that contrary to the respondents’ preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
According to him, the offences listed against Mr Emefiele are state offences that the FCT High Court could entertain.
Counsel to the attorney general of the federation, Tijjani Ghazali, informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.
He said Mr Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the State Security Service was an administrative decision of an arm of the executive.
Mr Ghazali added that the reliefs sought by an applicant determine jurisdiction.
He urged the court to dismiss the application, submitting that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN governor is being detained on the order of an FCT chief magistrates’ court.
On his part, the second and third respondents counsel I. Awo informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and urged the court to dismiss the application with cost.