Abuja, June, 10, 2023 -The Department of State Service (DSS) says Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is not in their custody.
Some media had reported on Friday night that Emefiele was arrested by operatives of the DSS immediately his suspension was announced by the Presidency.
But Dr Peter Afunanya, the Spokesman for the Service, in a WhatsApp message on Saturday said: “Currently, Emefiele is not with the DSS.”
The media said Emefiele’s arrest was effected by the DSS shortly after the announcement of his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
The Presidency said Emefiele was suspended due to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.
Prior to Emefiele ‘s suspension, the DSS, on December 7, 2022, in an exparte application with reference no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022, had sought an order to arrest the CBN Governor.
The security agency accused Emefiele of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice J.T Tsoho, however, refused to grant the application of the DSS.
The court said such application should have been accompanied with the presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.
Many reasons have been given for the arrest of Emefiele.
Some said his suspension might been triggered by the probe instituted against him last week by the House of Representatives.
The presidency also alluded to this when it said Emefiele’s suspension was sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy. (GBN)
