The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Godwin Emefiele, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), following his suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday.
The arrest comes in the middle of an ongoing investigation into Emefiele’s office and planned reforms in the financial sector.
Emefiele was suspended on Friday by President Tinubu.
The suspension cited the need for a thorough investigation and reforms in the financial sector as reasons behind Emefiele’s removal from office.
According to a press release issued on Friday by Willie Bassey, the Director of Information for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Emefiele has been directed to hand over his responsibilities to the Deputy Governor.
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“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 investigation and the reforms,” Willie Bassey said in the press release.
Recall that in February, DSS made an attempt to arrest the suspended CBN Governor.
At that time, Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, had provided soldiers to protect Emefiele’s residence and office, preventing the arrest.
The DSS had stated their intention to arrest and prosecute Emefiele on allegations of terrorism financing and fraud.
Earlier this year, in January, it was also reported that General Irabor had interfered with the DSS investigation by shielding Emefiele upon his return to the country from the United Kingdom, enabling him to evade arrest.
Emefiele had been accompanied by a significant security detail, including military personnel, when he went to his office following his return.
A senior DSS operative, speaking on condition of anonymity, recounted the tense situation that unfolded at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja when DSS officials attempted to arrest Emefiele.
