A Federal High Court in Lagos, yesterday, granted suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, leave to serve Director General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, the order of court admitting him to bail and directing his remand in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) by substituted means.

Justice Nicholas Oweibo granted the order, following an ex-parte application moved by Emefiele’s counsel, Mrs. Ogonnaya Sonuga.

The court had, on July 25, 2023, granted Emefiele N20 million bail and ordered that he should be remanded at the NCoS after he was arraigned on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.

Emefiele is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on possession of a single barrel shotgun and possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition without licence.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

However, DSS rearrested Emefiele after the court’s proceedings.

In an ex-parte application, dated July 28, 2023, Emefiele asked the court for “an order of this honourable court granting leave to the defendant/applicant to serve the complainant through and on the office and person of the Director General, Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Magaji Bichi, with the ruling/order of court obtained on July 25, 2023;

“Admitting the defendant/applicant to bail and directing his remand in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service by substituted means to wit: by publishing same in three national daily newspapers circulating within the jurisdiction of this honourable court and which said service will be deemed as good and proper service on the prosecutor/complainant.”

Oweibo granted the prayers.

The application is supported by a 15-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Adeogun Ayodele Samuel from the law firm of Victor Opara.