In a recent development, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS). The arrest follows his immediate suspension from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The decision to suspend Emefiele was announced in a brief statement issued by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. The suspension was attributed to an ongoing investigation into his office and the proposed reforms in the financial sector.
During the 2023 election campaign, President Tinubu and his supporters had accused the CBN governor of plotting to hinder Tinubu’s political aspirations. Consequently, the DSS had previously attempted to arrest Emefiele, but he was provided security by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Lucky Irabor, upon his return from a foreign trip.
The specific charges against Emefiele relate to allegations of terrorism financing and fraud, prompting the DSS to pursue his arrest. At the time of these events, conflicting reports emerged in the media, with some claiming that Emefiele had been taken into custody by the DSS, while others insisted that he had resumed his duties at the CBN under enhanced security protection.
As the investigation and reforms proceed, Emefiele has been directed to hand over his responsibilities to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will serve as the acting Governor of the Central Bank.
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