After A Scuffle, Emefiele Back To DSS Custody

By Gideon Njoku

Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, had his joy at being granted bail by a Federal High Court, Lagos on Tuesday, cut short.

The Honourable Justice Nicholas Oweibo had granted Emefiele bail in the sum of N20m with one surety in like sum.

But Operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS, in whose custody Emefiele has been since his suspension and arrest in June, rearrested him within the premises of the Court.

The Court had remanded the embattled CBN boss in the custody of Ikoyi Correctional  Center pending when he would perfect the terms of his bail. Given that, he was expected to be taken away by officials of the Correctional Center.

But Operatives of the DSS strategically blocked all exits, forcing Emefiele and his legal team led by Joseph Dauda, SAN, to stay back inside the Court.

When the Prison Officials made to take Emefiele away, they were confronted by the DSS Operatives, and a physical fistcuff ensued.

The DSS Operatives overwhelmed the Prison officials, and to avoid a bloody situation, Emefiele’s legal team advised him to follow the DSS.

Thereafter, the DSS officials rearrested him.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Federal Government on a two-count charge of possession of a shot gun without licence and 123 live ammunition.

Emefiele was suspended from office in June 9, 2023 by President Bola Tinubu and was arrested by the DSS   about 24 hours later. He has been in the DSS custody since then.

Emefiele, 61, was appointed the CBN Governor in June 2014 by the Government of President Goodluck Jonathan.