CBN: Emefiele Returns, Amidst Call For His Arrest

Will Godwin Emefiele, Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,  governor be arrested by the Department of State Services, DSS, now that he has returned to the country? 

The CBN said on Monday that Emefiele is back to work after his vacation abroad.

Emefiele has been away from the country since last year prompting not a few to suggest that he feared arrest by security agencies on his return.

But, according to Osita Nwasinobi, CBN Director, Corporate Communications“The Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has resumed duty after his annual vacation abroad. Mr. Emefiele, who proceeded on leave in December 2022, resumed work today, Monday, January 16, 2023.

“The Governor resumed with renewed vigour to perform his duty ahead of the first Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the year scheduled for January 23 to 24, 2023.

“Mr. Emefiele remains committed to performing the task before him in line with his oath of office and the policy direction of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“While thanking the public for keeping faith with the Bank, we urge Nigerians to continue to support the policies of the Bank aimed at ensuring a stable financial system and the Nigerian economy in general.”

The big poser in the minds of those that have been watching the drama that has ensued between the DSS and CBN since the last two months, particularly after the botched attempt by the secret police to arrest Emefiele, is whether the DSS will now finally take him into custody for interrogation.

Recall that Femi Falana, a human rights lawyer had on Sunday called for Emefiele’s arrest, noting that the DSS do not require any court order to arrest Emefiele.

Also earlier today, report surfaced that the CBN headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital was invaded by the secret police.

Peter Afunayan, the DSS spokesman later debunked the report.

The apex bank governor had escaped arrest last year  after an FCT high court ordered the DSS not to arrest him, citing insufficient evidence on it’s part, to the effect that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic sabotage.

The magazine learnt from competent sources that apart from the legal constraints facing the DSS on the issue, it has not received approval from the presidency to interrogate Emefiele.

“You cannot just arrest the CBN governor without the president’s approval. In fact, if it were that easy the DSS will not be looking for legal means to cover it tracks,” a source said.

The presidency source further claimed that ” Buhari will not allow his administration to be embarrassed, because this is what will happen if the DSS arrest Emefiele, who is a top appointee in the government and holding a very sensitive position.”

A clear evidence that the CBN governor still enjoys the support of the president, according to analysts, surfaced late last year after Buhari threw his weight behind the CBN over its decision not to extend it’s deadline of January 31, 2023 on the new redesigned naira notes.

Serious pressure had been mounted on Emefiele from many Nigerians, including top echelon of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to move the date forward.

“It only took Emefiele a private visit to President Buhari in Daura, Katsina for the president to validate CBN position on the issue,” another source said.