Public spat
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama rejected a fresh application the Department of State Services, DSS, filed…
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting at Maitama rejected a fresh application the Department of State Services, DSS, filed for an order to detain further the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele, for another 14 days. Justice Hamza Muazu ruled that the application constituted an abuse of the judicial process, adding that the court had no jurisdiction to entertain it. In a related development, The Punch reported that President Bola Tinubu had appointed a special investigator to probe the CBN and key Government Business Entities.
The consequence of Nigeria’s low-trust environment manifests in this development. For one, the DSS dreads the possibility of an absent Emefiele in court. On the other hand, the courts ruled against the DSS because it has a well-documented history of flouting court directives on the treatment of detained persons. Furthermore, Mr Emefiele was charged with illegally possessing a firearm, which on paper does not look like a case requiring a lengthy court process or continued detention. It is tragic that the DSS does not see how such antics can diminish its standing with the courts with which they have a tempestuous relationship. Beyond the DSS’ latest gimmick, the agency’s desire for Emefiele’s continued detention is so their case against him will not be seen as too shallow in light of other infractions he may have been involved in during his tenure. The DSS has likely stuck with the illegal arm’s charge for the fear of opening Pandora’s box and facing potential indictments if Emefiele’s stewardship as the Central Bank Governor is scrutinised. The judiciary made the right move, but familiar observers of Nigerian politics do not expect the DSS to obey the court and free him. Relatedly, Mr Tinubu’s appointment of a special investigator to probe the CBN could be interpreted in different ways. On the downside, it could be seen as a witch hunt against Mr Emefiele, with whom the Tinubu camp has a grudge over the Naira redesign policy that they believe was targeted at jeopardising their chances at last February’s polls. A possible upside is that the probe would lead to recommendations, that if implemented, may refocus the CBN to its primary role of using monetary policy tools to ensure price stability for the economy rather than funding pet projects and dabbling in dispensation of favours to allies and friends. Bola Tinubu must put aside his distaste for the CBN governor and show the world that he does not plan to be a president who treats government agencies as attack dogs that do his bidding. If he does not, he will further erode public trust in the government and undermine the rule of law.