The Department of State Services (DSS) has finally confirmed that suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is in its custody undergoing investigation.
The DSS Public Relations Officer (PRO), Peter Afunanya, gave the confirmation through a statement on Saturday.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons,” it said.
“The public, particularly the Media, is enjoined to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this.”
Hours earlier, the DSS had refuted reports that Emefiele was in its custody.
Amid reports of the arrest widely shared online, Afunanya had said in a terse statement on Saturday morning, “Currently, Emefiele is not with the DSS.”
Meanwhile, Emefiele’s suspension as CBN Governor was conveyed on Friday evening through a statement by Mr. Willie Bassey, the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect. This is a sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy,” the statement had announced.
It continued: “Mr. Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms.”