Publication

Although many Nigerians have suffered at the hands of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Amefiele, due to his ill-advised New Naira Policy that almost destroyed the country, it is sad that the defendant is currently being treated by the Department of Security Service (DSS) with impunity and reckless disregard for the Rule of Law and his constitutional right to a fair hearing.

It has been reported that Amefiele, who is currently standing trial before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos, who was admitted to bail in the sum of 20 million Naira in same court after being detained by DSS longer than permitted by the Nigerian constitution, was re-arrested by DSS in flagrant disregard of the court's order that Amefiele be remanded in the correctional center pending the perfection of his bail.

"It was extremely insulting on the Nigerian people for a public officer to disobey the powers of the court. The expectation was for them to apologize and comply with that order. I think the DSS should be told in clear terms that they're not above the law; we're not in a military dictatorship. The rule of law must be respected," said founder of the Center for Social Justice Eze Onyekpere, reported VOA News.

A dispassionate examination of the acts of the DSS clearly depicts a flagrant disregard for the court, the rule of law, and due process is hereby condemned. It must be noted strongly that  Amefiele has the constitutional right to be granted a fair hearing, and despite the grievances of DSS, he ought not to be denied due process of the law. See Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It has been said that justice should not only be done in all cases but must be “seen to be done.” Even if the DSS has legitimate grounds to re-arrest Amefiele, it is my humble submission that arresting him after a court order to the contrary is a mockery of the judicial process and no right-thinking member of the public, no matter his hatred against the defendant, would say in the circumstance, that justice is being served.
It further submitted that DSS should strive to always act in a manner that will cast no doubt in the minds of Nigerians as regards their commitment to the rule of law.

DSS is not above the law! Hence, they should stop acting as if they are. Their action has left a stink in their effort to get justice for the Nigerian people.