The Department of State Services (DSS) has said it had charged suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to court.
DSS’ spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunanya, announced this in a statement after an Abuja High Court directed that Emefiele be charged or released within seven days.
The statement by the service reads: “Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, July 13, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr. Godwin Emefiele has been charged to court in compliance with the order. The public may recall that the service had, in 2022, applied for a court order to detain him in respect of a criminal investigation.
“Though he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the service, however, arrested him in June 2023 on the strength of suspected fresh criminal infractions/information, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.
“The service assures the public of professionalism, justice and fairness in handling this matter and indeed the discharge of its duties within the confines of the law.”
The DSS, through its spokesman, had, on June 10, 2023, announced that Emefiele was in its custody.
Afunanya had said the erstwhile CBN governor was brought in for investigative reasons.
Emefiele was suspended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He was reported to have been arrested in Lagos and flown to Abuja by the DSS.
Unconfirmed reports had said he was attempting to leave the country.
Emefiele had been accused by the DSS of alleged terrorism.
In February, the service said preliminary investigation revealed various acts of terrorism financing and fraudulent activities allegedly perpetrated by Emefiele and economic crimes bordering on national security.
The DSS had attempted to arrest Emefiele but a Federal High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, issued an order restraining the service from arresting him.
Yesterday’s ruling, delivered by Justice M. A. Hassan, also applies 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 had declined an application filed by the DSS to arrest and detain Emefiele over the allegations against him.
In declining the motion ex parte filed by the secret police, Justice J. T. Tsoho 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 some time, military personnel and intelligence officers were deployed to ensure that he was not arrested by the DSS.
He had gone to his office after his return with massive security for his protection.
-Thenation
