Suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele Arrested By DSS

Suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele arrested by DSS, a report has said.

Newsone reports that the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, has been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS).

This online news platform understands that Godwin Emefiele’s arrest is coming shortly after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered his suspension and directed that he immediately hands over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor in charge of Operations Directorate, who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of an investigation and the reforms.

Godwin Emefiele arrested by DSS after several failed attempts

Godwin Emefiele’s arrest by the DSS, first reported by PM News Nigeria, is coming after the secret police had done everything within its power to effect his arrest unsuccessfully.

Newsone Nigeria recalls that the DSS had filed its case (ex-parte motion) against Emefiele on December 7, 2022, seeking permission to arrest, probe, and detain him. However, on December 9, a federal high court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, declined the application filed by the DSS.

Justice J.T. Tsoho, the chief judge, in declining the motion ex-parte filed by the secret police, said that the DSS did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.

The court said that such an application should have been accompanied by presidential approval because of the grave implications for the economy if the CBN governor was arrested and detained.

Emefiele was accused by the DSS of financing terrorism, aiding and abetting terrorism, and committing other economic crimes.

The DSS alleged that Emefiele funded the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB with both the resources he raised for his failed presidential bid on the platform of the Al Progressives Congress, APC, last year and funds diverted from government coffers.

The secret police also accused Emefiele of fraud, money laundering, round-tripping, and conferment of financial benefit to self and others. It said that he mismanaged public funds under his control.