Alleged fraud: DSS quizzes another CBN deputy governor, Aisha Ahmad
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Department of State Services (DSS), on Sunday, arrested the deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of Financial System Stability, Aisha Ahmad, for questioning.
However, details of her arrest remain sketchy as at the time of going to press because neither the secret police nor the apex bank has reacted to the reports.
But her family confirmed on Sunday that she was safe and sound and not detained by the secret police.
Aisha Ahmad is the third high-ranking CBN executive to be pulled in since President Bola Tinubu was sworn in on May 29, 2023.
Her arrest is coming about two months after the secret police arrested Ahmad’s boss at the CBN, Godwin Emefiele.
He has been in the DSS custody since then.
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Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was first charged with possession of a firearm but was later charged with N6.9 billion fraud.
The latest arrest comes shortly after the deputy governor of CBN in charge of Economic Policy, Obiora Kingsley, was invited for questioning by the Service.
It was gathered Obiora’s questioning was not unrelated to the probe of Emefiele over allegations of financial mismanagement.
TheNiche learnt Aisha Ahmad was brought in by the Service over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank.
Among other issues, she is being quizzed on how the $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by Titan Bank, it was gathered.
A reliable source said she was brought in for questioning but had been released.
The source said: “Her name came up in an ongoing probe and it is not out of place to bring her in to clear up some issues.”
The source however did not state details about the investigation.
When contacted, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, told Channels Television that he cannot confirm or deny that Ahmad was in their custody or has been invited for questioning.
He stated that in the course of any investigation, people can be invited for questioning and those invitations are carried out within the ambit of the law.
Ahmad was appointed deputy governor of CBN on October 6, 2017.
She replaced Sarah Alade, who retired in March 2017.
Meanwhile, Aishah Ahmad’s family confirmed on Sunday that she was safe and sound.
A statement from her family confirmed that she was not detained.
The statement said: “We wish to reassure everyone that Aishah Ahmad is home with her family and not detained by the DSS.
“She is safe and sound. In these times, it is essential to maintain clarity and rely on verified information only.
“Mrs. Ahmad’s cooperation with the authorities is a demonstration of her commitment to transparency and due process.
“It is crucial that the public exercise discretion when evaluating news reports and avoid engaging in unfounded rumours or misinformation.”
