A Federal Capital Territory High Court has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately grant unrestricted access to lawyers and family members of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Justice Hamza Muazu who gave the order on Friday in Abuja emphasized that such access was a constitutional right.
The order followed an application by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Daudu, who informed the court that he had written letters to the DSS on June 14, 2023, to obtain further instructions from his client.
However, the secret police had failed to respond to the application.
But, counsel to the 2nd and 3rd respondents, I. Awo, informed the court that the DSS does not have the authority to refuse such a request, arguing that it would be inappropriate to do so.
He said DSS would comply with the court order and grant access to the specified lawyers and family members of Mr Emefiele.
Meanwhile, the counsel to the DSS and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their respective responses to the Originating Motion.
The court granted the extension, while the hearing of the substantive suit was adjourned to Tuesday, June 19,2023.
