…Plead not guilty
The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has been arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
Emefiele is right now sitting in the dock as the charge of alleged illegal gun possession is read to him.
He is to stand trial on a two-count charge which accuses him of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence on June 15.
He has pleaded not guilty.
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Emefiele arrived around 9:20am. His lawyers arrived earlier.
The Federal Government, which is prosecuting him, maintained that the offence was contrary to Section 4 of the Firearms Act, 2004, and punishable under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of having in his possession 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) without a licence, which was contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act 2004 and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
Emefiele was brought to Court in a Toyota Hilux vehicle by DSS officials.
Before his arrival hooded DSS operatives had taken over the court premises. Some came as early as 7 am, well over two hours before Emefiele’s arrival.
This is a breaking story. Details shortly …
