The Department of State Service (DSS) has officially confirmed that Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has been charged in court. After detaining him for nearly 30 days, the DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, released a statement regarding the development. This action comes in compliance with a directive from the Abuja High Court issued on Thursday, July 13, 2023, which instructed the DSS to either bring charges against Emefiele within a week or release him.
Afunanya's statement clarifies the situation, stating, "Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr. Godwin Emefiele has been charged to Court in compliance with the Order." The statement also highlights that the DSS had previously sought a court order in 2022 to detain Emefiele for a criminal investigation. Although he obtained a restraining order from an FCT High Court, the DSS proceeded to arrest him in June 2023 based on suspected new criminal infractions, one of which forms the basis for his current prosecution.
The DSS assures the Nigerian public that Emefiele's case will be handled professionally, ensuring justice and fairness. It is worth noting that on June 9, 2023, Emefiele received a directive from [Tinubu] to transfer the responsibilities of the central bank to the Deputy Governor of Operations, Folashodun Shonubi, who has been serving as an acting governor since then. The following day, the DSS apprehended Emefiele at his Lagos residence, where he was allegedly planning to escape the country. He has remained in the custody of the secret police, prompting concerns from human rights activists who have advocated for him to be charged in court.
