JUST IN : Court Takes Decision On Emefiele’s Trial Over Illegal Firearms Possession (DETAILS)
The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, will face trial before the Federal High Court in Lagos on July 25 on two charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
One of his lawyers, Victor Opara (SAN), confirmed that hearing notices for the arraignment have been sent to counsels involved in the case.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria & Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, will personally lead the defendant’s legal team during the court proceedings.
Emefiele will appear before the vacation judge, Justice Nicholas Oweibo.
The charges against Emefiele, as seen in the charge sheet, accuse him of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license, which is an offence under 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, he is accused of having 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) in his possession without a license, 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.
Since June 10, Emefiele has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
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.”
