The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) has denied allegations that the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) attempted to forcefully abduct former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele from their custody.
This denial came in response to a petition filed by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency, which accused the two agencies of attempting to remove Emefiele from their custody without due process.
Assistant Controller-General Nwakeze Emmanuel, who represented the NCS before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He said Emefiele remained in their custody and was in good health.
“As far as we are concerned, we are not aware of any alleged attempt to forcefully release Dr. Emefiele,” Nwakeze stated. “Emefiele is still in our custody, bubbling.”
However, the Director of Legal and Prosecution at the EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir SAN, raised concerns about the appropriateness of the petition. He argued that, as the matter was currently before the court, it was inappropriate for the committee to intervene.
“I am wondering whether it is appropriate, given the fact that it borders on a subsisting court matter, for this committee to delve into the matter,” Tahir stated. “Mr. Emefiele is ably represented by senior lawyers, including SANs, and this petition did not emanate from them.”
