Justice Hamza Muazu of the federal high court sitting in Abuja has ordered the release of Godwin Emefiele from detention if he is not charged to court within one week.

The former governor of Central Bank was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on June 9 over allegations of abuse of office.

Following his suspension, the Department of State Services (DSS) took him into custody on June 10 for interrogation and he has been in detention since then.

Ruling on the application for his release, the judge said, “Though I am in sympathy with the applicant (Emefiele), but my sentiment will not go far to deliver judgement by granting all the reliefs sought by the Applicant.”

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Justice Muazu also ruled that Emefiele did not convince the court that investigation into his tenure in office was unconstitutional. He, however, premised ruling releasing Emefiele on his right to fair hearing.

“The Applicant has not shown that his arrest, detention and investigation were unlawful. However, I am concerned that the application is not without merit. The applicant is entitled to fair hearing,” he said.

“At this point, the continued detention of the Applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him. At the very least, justice demands that Applicant should be released on administrative bail.

“Consequently, I hereby make an order, directing the respondents to within one week, charge the applicant to court or release him on administrative bail.”