In a turn of events that sparked widespread speculation and
concern, the Department of State Services
(DSS) confirmed on Saturday that the
suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was
in their custody for investigative reasons. Dr. Peter Afunanya, the spokesman
for the DSS, issued a statement urging caution in the media’s reportage of the
situation.
The suspension of Emefiele had been announced by President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu the previous day, which led to rumors circulating that he had
been arrested by DSS operatives. The whereabouts of Emefiele were unclear
during the period between Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, fueling
further speculation. Initial reports suggested that he had been apprehended in
Lagos and subsequently transported to Abuja by the DSS on allegations related
to terrorism and other matters. Unconfirmed accounts even hinted at his
attempted escape from the country.
The DSS initially refrained from providing any official statement
on the matter, leaving the public in suspense. Late on Friday, Afunanya sent a
WhatsApp message stating his inundation with inquiries and his inability to
offer confirmations at the time. However, he did not explicitly disclose
whether Emefiele had been arrested. A subsequent one-sentence response from
Afunanya on Saturday morning merely stated that Emefiele was currently not in
the custody of the DSS, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty.
Emefiele had been implicated by the DSS in various
terrorism-related offenses. In February, the department’s preliminary
investigation had unveiled suspicions of his involvement in terrorism
financing, fraudulent activities, and economic crimes with national security
implications. The DSS had initially sought to apprehend Emefiele, but their
efforts were met with a restraining order from the Federal High Court in
Maitama, Abuja. The court ruling, delivered by Justice M.A. Hassan, also
extended to the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the
Federation, and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, all listed as
defendants.
Furthermore, another Federal High Court in Abuja rejected the
DSS’s ex parte application to arrest and detain Emefiele based on the
allegations against him. Chief Judge Justice J.T. Tsoho determined that the DSS
had failed to provide substantive evidence supporting their claims of
Emefiele’s involvement in terrorism financing and economic crimes.
Concerns over Emefiele’s safety led to the deployment of
military personnel and intelligence officers upon his return to Nigeria after
an absence. Security measures, including significant military protection, were
put in place when he visited his office.
The unfolding events surrounding the suspended CBN Governor
raised questions about the allegations made against him and the motives behind
his suspension. As the public eagerly awaited further developments, the DSS’s
confirmation of Emefiele’s custody only intensified the intrigue surrounding
the situation.
