The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied invading the office of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, following his return from annual leave abroad. The DSS stirred speculations about the embattled CBN governor’s whereabouts after quietly declaring him wanted.
Several unconfirmed media reports said Monday evening that the office of the central bank governor has been taken over by the operatives of the DSS.
A statement issued by the service reads: “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the round that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested its Governor, today 16/1/23.
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“This is fake news and quite misleading.”
A statement issued by the CBN earlier on Monday, which was signed by Director, Corporate Communications, Osita Nwanisobi, said Emefiele has resumed duty.
“The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has resumed duty after annual vacation abroad. Mr. Emefiele, who proceeded on leave in December 2022, resumed work today, Monday, January 16, 2023.
“The governor resumed with renewed vigour to perform his duty ahead of the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the year scheduled for January 23 to 24, 2023.
“Mr. Emefiele remains committed to performing the task before him in line with his oath of office and the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari,” the statement said.
Emefiele was said to be on the run after the Department of State Services (DSS) declared him wanted for funding terrorism and other economic crimes, a situation which seems to have caused disagreement between the security service and the presidency.
Upon his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, an unconfirmed report claimed he was accosted and was nearly “manhandled” by the DSS.
“There was a melee at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport today, when DSS officials tried to manhandle CBN Governor Emefiele. Though I am an ardent critic of the Buhari regime, I commend the Presidency for intervening and preserving the rule of law. Buhari did well!” Reno Omkri, former media aide to former president Goodluck Jonathan said on Twitter.
In December, an Abuja federal high court halted a move by the DSS to arrest Emefiele due to lack of sufficient evidence to get an ex parte order. But the service continued to push for his arrest despite the court’s restraining order.
It is not clear what evidence the DSS has against the central bank governor. But its push for Emefiele’s arrest has been criticized in many quarters.
“If you have the evidence that he has committed the offense alleged, you don’t need a court order to arrest him and that is the law. And by the way, no court in Nigeria or anyway has the power to confer immunity on any citizen… If you are not one of the 74 people who are entitled to immunity in Nigeria; that is the President, the Vice President, the governors, and deputy governors, no other person can enjoy immunity,” Lawyer and rights activist Femi Falana said.
Others have described the situation as a witch-hunt being masterminded by state actors whose political agenda will be thwarted by the recently introduced policies by the central bank. The CBN had late last month redesigned the naira and also introduced new withdrawal limits, policies believed will significantly limit vote-buying during the coming general elections.