Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor who has been suspended, has been charged with 20 new offenses, according to the federal government.

At the federal high court in Ikoyi on Tuesday, Mohammed Abubakar, the federation’s director of public prosecution (DPP), spoke with the media.

The federal government had earlier made an oral request to withdraw the charge of illegal gun possession against Emefiele.

However, defence lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected, claiming that because the government violated the court’s decision to give Emefiele bail, the application could not be heard.

On July 25, the judge granted Emefiele N20 million bail on a two-count charge of unlawful possession of guns and ammunition and remanded him at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the satisfaction of his bail terms.

However, defence lawyer Joseph Daudu (SAN) objected, claiming that because the government violated the court’s decision to give Emefiele bail, the application could not be heard.

But the DSS rearrested the embattled bank chief after fighting off NCoS officials on the court’s premises.

Speaking with journalists after the day’s proceedings Abubakar said the fresh charges – with 20 counts – were filed at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

One of the counts accuses Emefiele of “conferring unlawful advantages”.