In a significant development, the Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a directive requiring the Department of State Services (DSS) and its Director General to promptly provide unrestricted access to Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to his legal representatives and family members.

This order was given by Justice Hamza Muazu on Friday in response to an application made by J.B. Daudu, Emefiele’s legal counsel.

It is worth noting that Emefiele’s arrest took place on Saturday subsequent to his suspension by President Bola Tinubu on Friday evening. The court’s order ensures that Emefiele can now exercise his right to seek legal advice and maintain contact with his family during this period. This ruling emphasizes the importance of ensuring fundamental rights are respected, even in challenging circumstances.

During the court proceedings, Emefiele’s legal representative informed the court that he had previously sent letters to the Department of State Services (DSS) on June 14, specifically seeking permission to consult with Emefiele. Unfortunately, the DSS had failed to respond to this request, prompting the application to the court.

In response to the application, Justice Muazu, in his ruling, emphasized that it is well within Emefiele’s constitutional rights to have unrestricted access to his lawyers and family members. This highlights the importance of upholding fundamental rights, ensuring that individuals are given the opportunity to seek legal counsel and maintain contact with their loved ones, even in challenging situations. The court’s decision reinforces the principle of protecting the rights of individuals involved in legal proceedings.