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Court to rule on Emefiele’s Enforcement of Right July 13

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The Federal Capital Territory High Court has on Tuesday fixed July 13 for the ruling on the enforcement of a fundamental rights suit filed by the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

Justice Hamza Muazu fixed the date after listening to submissions made by parties in the case.

Listed as 1st to 3rd respondents in the suit are the Attorney General of the Federation, the Director General of the State Security Service, and the State Security Service.

During the proceedings, counsel for the AGF, Tijjani Ghazali SAN, informed the court that the first respondent is challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case brought before it by the applicant.

He said Emefiele’s arrest and detention by the DSS is an administrative decision of an arm of the executive and that the jurisdiction is determined by the relief sought by an applicant.

Besides, he contended that the allegation of unlawful detention is unfounded as the embattled CBN boss is being detained on the order of an FCT Chief Magistrate Court.

Consequently, he urged the court to dismiss the application.

On his part, the second and third respondents, represented by counsel I. Awo, informed the court that there was a subsisting order to detain the applicant and therefore urged the court to dismiss the application with costs.

However, counsel for Emefiele, Joseph Daudu, SAN, argued that the offences listed against Emefiele are state offences that could be entertained by the FCT High Court.

He contended that, contrary to the preliminary objection raised against the originating summons on notice by the respondents, the court has the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Earlier on June 16, the court ordered the DG of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Bichi, to grant the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, access to his lawyers and family.

Emefiele was arrested by the DSS on Saturday, hours after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.

Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court made the order on Friday, even as he emphasised that access is a constitutional right of Emefiele.

The enrolled order dated June 16, 2023, read, “The lawyers of the applicant shall have access to the applicant immediately. And regularly at a reasonable time, pending the determination of the application.”
In his submission

The court order followed an application filed by Emefiele’s counsel, J.B. Saudi, SAN, who told the court that the DSS had failed to respond to previous letters requesting access to his client.

Both the counsel to the DSS and the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation requested an extension of time to file their responses to the originating motion.

The court granted the request and further adjourned the suit to Tuesday, June 20, 2023, for a hearing.

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Protesters storm Federal High Court Abuja over moves to deregister ADC, other opposition parties

In court filings before the Federal High Court, the AGF supported a case instituted by some former lawmakers asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four others.

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Protesters, under the aegis of Concerned Northern Nigeria Stakeholders, staged a protest on Monday at the entrance of the Federal High Courtin Wuse, Abuja, chanting solidarity songs and waving placards with inscriptions such as “No Opposition, No Election,” “Tinubu, Let Our Democracy Breathe,” and “AGF Must Be Neutral.”

The protesters are warning President Bola Tinubu against interferences in the judiciary and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The leader of the group, Banki Sharrif, raised alarm over what he described as growing threats to judicial independence and democratic institutions, accusing the Federal Government of undermining due process.

He said, “We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately cease all forms of interference, overt or covert, with the judiciary. Courts must never be reduced to instruments of political engineering. The moment justice is manipulated, the nation itself is placed on trial.

“A government that seeks to weaken opposition betrays a lack of confidence in its own legitimacy. Democracy thrives on competition. Suppressing it is not strength; it is fear.

“Elections without credible opposition are nothing more than staged exercises. Democracy demands fairness, openness, and equal opportunity for all political actors.”

The demonstrators warned that democracy cannot function under “intimidation, coercion, or calculated manipulation,” insisting that civic space and opposition remain central to a functioning republic.

Monday’s protest comes amid heightened political tension over a suit backed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, seeking the deregistration of several political parties.

In court filings before the Federal High Court, the AGF supported a case instituted by some former lawmakers asking the court to compel INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress and four others.

Other parties listed in the suit include the Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party, and the Zenith Labour Party.

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S’Africa: FG hurrying to evacuate 130 Nigerians as another wave of protest expected

The minister added that another wave of demonstrations is expected between May 4 and 8, 2026, prompting further security and diplomatic coordination between both countries.

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•Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has confirmed that so far, 130 Nigerians have registered for voluntary evacuation flights from South Africa amid rising tensions linked to anti-foreigner protests in the country.

The minister added that another wave of demonstrations is expected between May 4 and 8, 2026, prompting further security and diplomatic coordination between both countries.

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in a situation report via her X handle , said that the evacuation arrangement is part of broader diplomatic and security measures being coordinated with Nigerian missions in South Africa.

She emphasised that the

applicants have duly registered for the exercise with our mission,” noting that the number is expected to increase as more citizens seek assistance to return home.

The minister explained that the evacuation plan follows directives from President Bola Tinubu, who ordered heightened monitoring of the situation and stronger protection for Nigerians abroad.

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Nigerians to return home as S’African attacks worsen

The protests, according to reports, are being driven by community groups, anti-immigration organisations, and social movements such as Operation Dudula, the March and March Movement, and similar local initiatives, often under the banner of tackling illegal immigration and unemployment.

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The Nigerian Consulate in collaboration with the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA) has offered a free repatriation flight to Nigerians willing to return home permanently amid the ongoing worsening attacks on foreigners.

The President of NICASA, Frank Onyekwelu, disclosed that the situation had forced many Nigerians to shut their shops and businesses.

According to him, there is currently no structured support system in place for affected Nigerians, but the consulate’s intervention is already providing an option for those who wish to leave.

” The process is ongoing as we have recorded many Nigerians signalling interest to return home, ” said Onyekwelu .

Violent anti-foreigner protests erupted recently in cities such as Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban, East London, and parts of KwaZulu-Natal, resulting in harassment, looting, property damage, and injuries.

The protests, according to reports, are being driven by community groups, anti-immigration organisations, and social movements such as Operation Dudula, the March and March Movement, and similar local initiatives, often under the banner of tackling illegal immigration and unemployment.

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