EFCC Picked Up Former CBN Governor After Release from DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele, who had been in the custody of the DSS since June, regained his freedom on Thursday night and was immediately picked up by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to sources, the former CBN governor is being interrogated, and there are indications that fresh charges will be filed against him.

The release of Emefiele by the DSS came just days after former EFCC boss, Abdulrasheed Bawa who was also held in detention for 134 days was freed.

In June, the secret police picked up the former CBN boss in Lagos and flew him to Abuja a day after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

On July 25, Emefiele was arraigned at a federal high court in Lagos on a two-count charge bordering on “illegal possession” of firearms. He was later granted bail in the sum of N20 million.

The two-count charge was later struck out on August 17 after the federal government withdrew the same.

Nevertheless, a fresh 20-count charge was instituted against him over an alleged conspiracy to carry out procurement fraud, among others.

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The arraignment, however, was stalled twice, and Emefiele has since been proposing a plea bargain agreement.

The agreement required Emefiele to resign as CBN governor and “disgorge” some assets.

On September 22, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation after Olayemi Cardoso was appointed as substantive governor of the apex bank.