The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was reportedly released from custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday night but was immediately picked up by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Politics Nigeria has learned.
According to a top security source, the Presidency directed the EFCC to take over the case.
“Emefiele regained his freedom last night, but he was immediately picked up by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” a top security source said on Thursday.
There are indications that fresh charges may be filed against Mr Emefiele by the EFCC.
Emefiele was arrested by the DSS in June, on the same day he was suspended from office by President Bola Tinubu. The former CBN governor is facing allegations of terrorism financing and fraud.
The former CBN governor was set to be released from detention by the DSS after entering into a plea bargain with the federal government.
The non-prosecution plea bargain for Emefiele was premised upon the former governor’s willingness to return N50 billion, which he allegedly stole. Emefiele’s arraignment was said to have been stalled because the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), was awaiting Tinubu’s approval for it after signing the non-prosecution plea bargain, given that the president was out of the country at the time.
“The exclusive deal has been finalised awaiting Tinubu’s order. Tinubu is expected back in Nigeria this weekend after a medical visit to France. The DSS traced N72 billion to a series of accounts which Emefiele had planned to use for his presidential run. Also, $70 million he hid with a couple who specialised in helping him to do round-tripping was discovered,” a source said.
However, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice denied the existence of any non-prosecution plea bargain involving Emefiele.
Recall that the DSS released Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former chairman of the EFCC, on Wednesday night. He had been detained by the secret police for 134 days without trial.
Bawa was arrested and detained by the DSS on June 14, 2023, following an invite. The invite followed allegations of abuse of office shortly after he was suspended by President Tinubu.
