Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele was released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday and reportedly subsequently picked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, when newsmen contacted the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, on Friday concerning the development, he simply said “I am yet to be briefed on the matter”.
Despite the unavailability of official confirmation, media reports suggest that Emefiele is currently undergoing interrogation at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
Emefiele has been in the custody of the DSS since June, following his suspension by President Bola Tinubu.
After his suspension, the DSS announced that Emefiele was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.
On 25th July, he appeared before a Federal High Court in Lagos, where he was arraigned on a two-count charge linked to the “illegal possession” of firearms.
He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of N20 million.
On 17th August, the Federal Government withdrew the two-count charge, resulting in its subsequent dismissal.
However, an additional 20 charges were brought against Emefiele by the Federal Government, which accused him of conspiring to engage in procurement fraud and other illegal activities.
On 22nd September, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation, after Olayemi Cardoso was appointed and confirmed as substantive governor of the apex bank.
