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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the recent physical fight between the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) at the federal high court in Lagos. The altercation occurred after the hearing of a case involving the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele. The agencies disagreed over who should have custody of the suspended governor. The NBA has called for disciplinary measures against the officers involved and emphasized the importance of professionalism and cooperation between the two agencies. In the meantime, the former CBN Governor has been ordered to remain in the correctional centre until bail conditions are met.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described the recent public fight between operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officers of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) on Tuesday as “shameful”.
The clash between DSS operatives and warders occurred in the premises of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, after the hearing of a case involving the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.
After the hearing, both agencies disagreed over who should have custody of the suspended Governor, who was granted bail in the sum of 20 million naira.
Emefiele, who was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on June 9, 2023, was arrested and arraigned by the secret police on a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. He pleaded not guilty.
An eyewitness explained that after Emefiele’s arraignment and bail, DSS operatives positioned their van in a way that suggested they wanted to take him back to their detention center, but Emefiele stayed inside the courtroom with his lawyers.
A fight broke out when prison officials attempted to take Emefiele into custody, leading to criticism from various quarters including the NBA.
NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau, called the incident a “disgraceful conduct” and urged both agencies to take immediate disciplinary measures against the involved officers. Maikyau emphasized the need for professionalism and respect for the sanctity of the court premises.
Justice Oweibo has ordered that the former CBN Governor be remanded at the correctional center until the bail conditions are fulfilled.
