CBN: Emefiele Planning To Escape; A ‘Flight Risk’

Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor is planning to escape if granted bail, the Department of State Services, DSS, has warned.

The DSS stated this on Tuesday while opposing a bail application filed by Emefiele’s lawyers at a Federal Capital  high court in Abuja.

The secret police said the former CBN boss constitutes a ‘flight risk’ if granted bail from its custody, as he’s ready to flee the country if given such opportunity.

Recall that Emefiele’s lawyers have informed the court that he was not allowed to see his lawyers and family members since he was arrested by the DSS on June 10, following his suspension from office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

But the DSS refitted claims that the forme apex bank boss has been tortured while in its custody, adding that Emefiele is being held on serious allegation of misappropriating public funds, economic sabotage, amongst others.

While also opposing bail for the embattled CBN governor, the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, OAGF stated that Emefiele’s rights has not been violated in detention, noting that he’s not being held for participating in politics during the 2023 presidential election.

The OAGF said: “The respondents have not violated the applicant’s right to live in any way, his life is not in danger. The respondents did not subject the applicant to any judicial adjudication to warrant the allegation of denial of a fair hearing.

“With the remand order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, the said violation of the applicant’s right to freedom of movement does not arise.”

“The respondents did not subject the applicant to any torture, the details of which have not been provided,” according to the OAGF, while the DSS said Emefiele is being held on lawful grounds.