Emefiele: We Cannot Confirm Or Deny His Arrest For Now — SSS Spokesperson, Afunanya
The DSS had in February 2023, accused suspended CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele of terrorists financing.
However, DSS spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, asked to confirm the arrest, only said “Inundated. I may not be able to make any confirmations NOW, please.”
PulseNets reports that Emefiele had been accused by the DSS of fraternizing with a well-known terror financier, whose name was not disclosed.
The DSS said the CBN governor was involved in the financing of terrorism and must answer for the alleged crime.
Back in February, it said preliminary investigation revealed various acts of terrorism financing, fraudulent activities perpetrated by Emefiele and his involvement in economic crimes of national security dimension.
In the heat of the case, the DSS had tried to arrest Emefiele but a Federal High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja issued an order restraining it from arresting Emefiele.
This ruling, delivered by Justice M.A. Hassan also applied to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) who were listed as defendants.
Earlier, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja declined an application filed by the DSS to arrest and detain Emefiele over the grave allegations against him.
In declining the motion ex parte filed by the secret police, Justice J. T. Tsoho, the Chief Judge, said the DSS did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.
When Emefiele returned to Nigeria after spending several weeks away, military personnel and intelligence officers were deployed to ensure that he was not arrested by the DSS.
The then CBN governor headed to his office after his return with massive security, specifically military protection.
Recall that Emefiele had nursed presidential ambition and attempted to vie for the office on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
After facing opposition from some quarters including within the CBN, Emefiele approached the Delta State High Court sitting in Kwale, Ndokwa West local government area, Delta State, to get an order restraining the apex bank and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), from stopping him from contesting the 2023 presidential election.
He eventually backed down after it was clear that he would have to resign from office to contest the presidential primary election of the ruling party.
While in office, he also introduced a redesigned Naira currency weeks before the presidential election with political pundits insinuating the policy was targeted at the presidential campaign of Bola Tinubu, now president.
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Emefiele in the statement from the office of the SGF was 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 investigation and the reforms.
Folashodun is the deputy governor, Operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
