The embattled Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Godwin Emefiele was arrested by DSS on Friday evening shortly after his suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
His suspension from office which was “with immediate effect was announced by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Willie Bassey.
It stated that the suspension “is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy. Mr Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms.”
Prior to Emefiele’s suspension, the DSS had on December 7, 2022, brought an ex parte application with reference no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022 before a Federal High Court, Abuja seeking an order for his arrest.
The security agency accused Emefiele of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension. The ex parte motion was heard by the Chief Judge, Justice J.T Tsoho who refused to grant the application of the DSS.
The court said such an 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.
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