Godwin Emefiele – Court stops DSS from arresting CBN Governor
Ejesgist.ng has learned that a federal high court in Abuja has rejected a Department of State Services (DSS) request to arrest and detain Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Justice JT Tsoho, the chief judge, denied the ex parte motion made by an applicant in the respondent’s absence on the grounds that the secret police had failed to present sufficient proof to support its claims that Emefiele had engaged in the financing of terrorism and other economic crimes.
According to sources at the high court, the judge stated that if there was any evidence to support the claims in the application, with the file number FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022, he should have been taken into confidence.
Read Also: Central Bank of Nigeria Cash limits: PoS operators give CBN ultimatum
The source told ejesgit.ng, “The honourable judge also questioned why the respondent’s name was given simply as “Godwin Emefiele” without a material disclosure that he is the same person as the CBN governor, a highly placed public official who holds a highly sensitive position.
The court ruled that due to the serious economic repercussions that would result from the arrest and detention of the CBN governor, such a request should have been supported by presidential approval.
Given the potential impact the naira redesign and cash withdrawal cap may have on vote-buying in the 2023 elections, it has been suggested that the attempt to arrest Emefiele may have political motivations.
Also Read: What is the new CBN policy? Benefits and bad sides of CBN withdrawal limit
Several politicians have claimed that the redesign of the naira is aimed at them, but President Muhammadu Buhari has given Emefiele his full support for the initiative.
A number of civil society organisations alerted the public to a plot to depose Emefiele and accuse him of terrorism on Monday.
Thanks for using our platform to learn about the latest Naija News on Court stops DSS from arresting CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
