The suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, today pleaded not guilty to charges of illegal gun possession instituted against him by the Federal Government.
Emefiele, 61, is standing trial before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendant arrived in court at 9:20 am for his trial clutching a red Bible.
The DSS filed a two-count charge of illegal processions of firearm and ammunition against the defendant.
The DSS in the charge sheet accused Emefiele of possessing a single-barrelled shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a license.
In the second count, the service charged him with illegally possessing 23 rounds of live ammunition (cartridges) without a license.
The offence is contrary to Section 8 of the Firearms Act and punishable under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act, the secret police said.
Emefiele has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his arrest on June 10.
On July 13, Justice Hamza Muazu of the FCT High Court sitting in Abuja ordered the secret police to arraign the embattled CBN governor in one week or release him on administrative bail.
Last week, the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos fixed today, July 25, for Emefiele’s arraignment.