There was a mild drama on display at the Federal High Court in Lagos as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and officials of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) tussled over who would take custody of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Bellnews reports that the DSS allegedly attempted re-arresting the former CBN boss despite a court order granting him bail.
Emefiele was arraigned by the Federal Ministry of Justice on charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition but was granted bail in the sum of N20 million with one surety.
As Emefiele’s lawyers tried to perfect his bail conditions, a scuffle broke out between the DSS and NCS operatives, who were both vying to take custody of the embattled CBN governor.
Two Hilux vehicles belonging to the two government agencies were positioned near the entrance of the court, and the prison service also brought dogs into the court premises.
Sources said that the DSS operatives were attempting to rearrest Emefiele despite the bail granted to him by the court.
The tussle between the two agencies continued for several minutes before the DSS operatives eventually backed down and allowed the NCS to take custody of Emefiele.
Emefiele who was scheduled to be taken to the NCS headquarters in Kirikiri, where he is expected to remain until his bail conditions are met, is yet to leave the court premises.
Reports has it that the DSS have arrested the Officer in Charge (OC) of Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Tunde Kuye, over the scuffle.