There is no love lost between Emefiele and Tinubu.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Department of State Security (DSS) may have arrested the embattled governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
His reported arrest is coming after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended him from office today with immediate effect.
Details of the arrest are still sketchy.
The DSS is yet to issue any statement either to confirm or deny the arrest.
But many Nigerians say they will not be surprised if Emefiele is arrested
TheNiche had earlier reported Emefiele’s suspension.
There is no love lost between Emefiele and Tinubu.
The suspension follows Emefiele’s naira redesign policy which many in the ruling political party believe was aimed at spoiling Tinubu’s chances at the February 25 presidential poll.
But his tenure runs till 2024.
A statement by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Willie Bassey said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect.”
READ ALSO: As Tinubu takes charge, Emefiele’s fate now hangs in the balance
Bassey added that Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate) pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms.
“This 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,” the statement added.
The DSS had declared Emefiele wanted in the wake of the police accusing him of terrorism.
The DSS, on December 7, 2022, in an exparte application with reference no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022, sought an order to arrest the CBN Governor.
The security agency accused Emefiele of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice J.T Tsoho, however, 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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