NCoS: We didn’t remove Emefiele from prison

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has denied the alleged forceful removal of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, from its custody.

The NCoS said the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) made no such attempt.

The NCoS Controller General, Haliru Nababa, said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions in Abuja on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

His appearance followed a petition by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency.

The chairman of the committee, Mike Etaba, however, dismissed the petition on the ground that it was subjudice.

“This matter is in court; we can’t forge ahead with this matter because it is subjudice to us. This matter is hereby dismissed from this committee,” Etaba said.

Also speaking, the Director, Legal and Prosecution Department of EFCC, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN), said it was inappropriate to entertain the petition as it bordered on a subsisting court matter.

However, Nababa, who was represented by the Assistant Controller General in Charge of Operations, Nwakeze Emmanuel, said such attempted abduction did not happen.

“As far as we are concerned, we are not aware of any alleged attempt to forcefully release Emefiele, as he is still in our custody, bubbling,” he stated.

EFCC’s legal representative, Tahir, had earlier said: “The petition which we perused borders on a pending court case.

“There is a subsisting criminal charge against Emefiele on whose behalf the petitioners have petitioned.”

The Star