TheCable

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) are currently fighting over the custody of Godwin Emefiele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Earlier on Tuesday, a federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, granted Emefiele N20 million bail and one surety in like sum.

Emefiele is facing charges bordering on “illegal possession of firearms”.

Nicholas Oweibo, the presiding judge, ruled that the embattled apex bank chief be remanded at the correctional centre, pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

However, DSS operatives insisted on taking Emefiele into their custody.

Heated arguments and an all-out brawl between personnel of both services ensued on the premises of the court.

BACKGROUND

On June 9, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele and asked him to transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, deputy governor, operations directorate.

The day after, the DSS announced that Emefiele was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.

On July 13, a federal capital territory high court ordered the DSS to charge Emefiele to court if they have a foolproof case against him.

Hamza Muazu, presiding judge, had said Emefiele should be released on bail if he is not taken to a competent court within a week.

The DSS had argued that while in its custody, Emefiele had access to family members and medical doctors.

Below are photos of the altercation in court.

Additional reporting by Ayodele Oluwafemi