The service in a series of tweets posted via its official handle on Tuesday noted that the lawyers were headed by an “overzealous and uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer”.
The Department of State Services has described the lawyers who filed contempt charges against its Director-General, Yusuf Bichi, over the continued detention of embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele as “charge-and-bail lawyers”.
The service in a series of tweets posted via its official handle on Tuesday noted that the lawyers were headed by an “overzealous and uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer”.
The service said, “Charge and bail, overzealous uninformed IPOB/ESN lawyer Maxwell Okpara mobilises other like-minded lawyers against DGSS. Futile Efforts. Well, Nigerians, beware! This is in bad faith. Transferred aggression.
“A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs?
“What a contradiction. what’s the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.”
A Biafran Republic agitator and Outlawed IPOB counsel defending the suspended CBN Governor. Is IPOB defending one of theirs???? What a contradiction.....hmmm...what's the connection? Is someone telling us something? May Maxwell be properly educated on points of law, please.
— Department of State Services (DSS) (@OfficialDSSNG) July 18, 2023
It was earlier reported that some lawyers filed a contempt charge against Bichi over alleged disobedience to multiple judgments and orders of the court directing the release of Emefiele from the custody of the agency.
The lawyers were led by Maxwell Okpara, one of the counsels to Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
SaharaReporters had last Saturday reported that the Nigerian government through the DSS filed a two-count charge of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition against suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, before the Federal High Court in Lagos Division.
This was seen in a copy of the charge sheet dated 13/7/2023 between Federal Republic of Nigeria and Godwin Emefiele, accusing the suspended apex bank boss of possessing a single-barrel shotgun (JOJEFF MAGNUM 8371) without a licence.
According to the document, the government maintained that the offence violates Section 4 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004, and is penalised under Section 27 (1b) of the same Act.
In the second count, the suspended CBN Governor was accused of having 123 rounds of live ammunition (Cartridges) in his possession without a licence, a violation of Section 8 of the Firearms Act Cap F28 Laws of the Federation 2004 and a penal offence under Section 27 (1)(b)(il) of the same Act.
It was learned further that the case will be assigned to a judge next week.
SaharaReporters on Thursday reported that the DSS had charged Godwin Emefiele, the suspended CBN governor.