Officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), on Tuesday, fought over who keeps custody of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele was arraigned by the Federal Ministry of Justice for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition but was granted bail in the sum of N20m with one surety, following his “not guilty” plea.
According to the report, as the defendant’s lawyers were trying to perfect his bail conditions, a mild drama played out within the premises of a Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday between DSS operatives who are fully hooded and NCS over who will take custody of the embattled CBN boss.
The DSS operatives roughed up a Prisons Commander, tore his buttons, and hauled him out.
The Commander was trying to comply with the order of Justice Nicholas Oweibo, who granted Emefiele bail and remanded him in the custody of the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the satisfaction of his bail. But the DSS operatives insisted that they had orders to take Emefiele notwithstanding the court order.
Two Hilux vehicles belonging to the two government agencies were positioned near the entrance of the court.
The prison service also brought dogs into the court premises.
Amid the clash, Emefiele’s lawyers “reluctantly allowed the DSS to disobey court orders and take custody of their client” to avoid a gun battle.
The prison officials then exited the court in their vehicle and the DSS took charge.
