The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, has been charged by the Nigerian government with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. The charges, consisting of two counts, were filed against Emefiele at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The State Security Service (SSS) had held Emefiele without charge for over a month until a judge gave them a one-week ultimatum to either charge him or release him.
According to the charges, Emefiele is accused of possessing a single-barrel shotgun without a license, as well as illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition without a license. The case has not yet been assigned to a judge.
It is worth noting that the SSS had previously accused Emefiele of sponsoring the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and levied several other allegations against him, including sabotaging President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and committing economic crimes. However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court dismissed the SSS’ application for an arrest order against Emefiele on the grounds of improper procedure.
After Emefiele’s suspension by President Bola Tinubu, the SSS filed the current charges, but it remains unclear if they plan to bring additional charges against him.
Charges in full
Count one:
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.
