Abuja, Nigeria – (African Boulevard News) – The Department of State Services (DSS) confirmed today that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is in custody for investigative reasons. According to local sources, the former CBN governor was detained by security forces yesterday evening.
Mr Emefiele was suspended by President Muhammadu Buhari in April following the discovery of discrepancies in the bank’s financial statements during an audit. He was accused of financial misconduct and was put on trial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to an anonymous source within the security forces, Mr Emefiele has been detained as part of an ongoing investigation into financial impropriety within the CBN. The source stated that “there is evidence of corruption and financial misconduct, and we are investigating to determine the extent of the wrongdoing.”
The detention of Mr Emefiele has caused concern among financial experts, who fear that the instability could have serious implications for Nigeria’s economy. “The Central Bank is the linchpin of the Nigerian financial system, and any disruption of its operations could have serious consequences,” said Dr Bismarck Rewane, a leading economist and CEO of Financial Derivatives Company.
In response to these concerns, the DSS has issued a statement assuring the public that the investigation will be conducted with the highest level of professionalism and that the Central Bank’s operations will not be affected.
“The DSS is working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the integrity of the Central Bank is preserved,” the statement said. “We want to assure the public that the bank’s operations will continue as normal, and there is no cause for alarm.”
Mr Emefiele, who has been in charge of the CBN since 2014, has not commented on his detention. His lawyer, however, has released a statement saying that his client is innocent and that he has full confidence in the judicial system.
The investigation into Mr Emefiele’s alleged financial misconduct is ongoing, and more details are expected to emerge in the coming days. Meanwhile, the DSS and other law enforcement agencies are urging the public to remain calm and not to speculate on the matter.
