The Nigerian government has charged the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
The case consisting of two counts of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition was filed against Mr. Emefiele at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Channels Television reports.
A copy of the charges shared on the television’s website showed the case was filed on Thursday (13 July), the same day a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja gave the State Security Service (SSS) one-week ultimatum to either charge him in court or release him.
The SSS had held Mr. Emefiele, who was arrested on 10 June, for over a month without charge until Thursday’s ruling.
In the newly filed case, the agency accused Mr. Emefiele of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license; an offense said to be contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
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In the second count, the SSS charged him with illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a license. The offense is also said to be contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
In a desperate move to obtain an order for his arrest, the SSS had stated on oath in December 2022 that Mr. Emefiele was sponsoring the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
