News Alert! DSS Arrests Ex-CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele Hours After He Was Suspended

By Emmanuel Adeoye

The Department of the State Services, DSS, have arrested the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele few hours after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended him from office.

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Earlier before his arrest, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu had ordered his suspension from office as the Governor of the CBN and directed that he should immediately hands over the affairs of his office to his Deputy Governor in charge of the Directorate of  Operations, who will act as the new CBN Governor pending the conclusion of an investigation and reforms to be carried out in the apex banking sector of the Country. 

It would be recalled that many media houses had reported extensively on how the secret police had done everything within it’s power to effect his arrest unsuccessfully. 

According to the information gathered, it was stated that the DSS had filed an ex-parte motion against the tye Ex-CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele on the 7th of December, 2022; seeking for the permission to arrest, probe and detain him. Also, on the 9th of December, a federal high court sitting in Abuja , declined the application filed by the DSS.

Rejecting the motion filed by the secret police, Justice J.T.  Tsolo; the Chief Judge, said that the DSS did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate it’s claims that Emefiele was involved. 

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He however observed, that, in rejecting the motion ex-parte filed by the secret police, Justice J.T. Tsolo said a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, rejected the application filed by the DSS, the Chief Judge, and that the DSS did not provide any concepts.

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

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

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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 All 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 was said that he mismanaged public funds under his control. 

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