THE Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of Godwin Emefiele, who President Bola Tinubu suspended on Friday, June 9 as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor.
Emefiele’s arrest was confirmed by the public relations officer of the DSS, Peter Afunaya, in a tweet posted on the DSS official Twitter handle on Saturday, June 10.
It read, “The Department of State Services (DSS) at this moment confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.
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“The public, particularly the Media, is enjoined to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this.”
The ICIR reports that President Tinubu suspended Emefiele with immediate effect and directed him to hand over the affairs of his office to the deputy governor, operations directorate, Folashodun Shonubi.
Tinubu’s suspension of Emefiele was contained in a press release by Willie Bassey, director of information, office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), dated Friday, June 9.
The secret police did not state or give any reason why Emeiele was arrested. However, it many not be unconnected with the allegations the DSS had placed against him.
DSS had last year attempted to arrest Emefiele, accusing him 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 the resources he raised for his failed presidential bid on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The agency also accused him of fraud, money laundering, round tripping and conferment of financial benefit to self and others.
On December 7, 2022, the DSS filed an ex-parte motion at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking permission to arrest, probe and detain Emefiele.
However, on December 9, 2022, the court declined the application.
The chief judge, Justice J.T. Tsoho, ruled that the DSS did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.
According to the court, 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.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari did not give his consent for Emefiele’s arrest till he left office on May 29.