A video of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele being arrested at the airport has gone viral.
The video first appeared shortly after Peter Afunanya, the Department of State Services’ spokesperson, revealed that the troubled suspended CBN Governor was currently being held by the agency.
After being caught at the airport yesterday evening while allegedly attempting to flee the country, Emefiele was transported from Lagos to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In the footage, the suspended CBN Governor is seen being pushed out of a car by DSS operatives wearing handcuffs before being led onto a waiting private jet that takes him back to Abuja.
Godwin Emefiele has been arrested at the airport. OLORIBU FE SALO😂 pic.twitter.com/p4Tbzkg3xh
— SALAWU||OMOIYAONIPAKO (@salawueedris1) June 10, 2023
DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya has now confirmed that Emefiele is in their custody for “investigative reasons”.
The statement read;
“EMEFIELE, NOW IN DSS CUSTODY
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.
“The public, particularly the Media, is enjoined to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this.
“Peter Afunanya PhD fsi
Public Relations Officer
Department of State Services
National Headquarters
Abuja
10th June, 2023.
EMEFIELE, NOW IN DSS CUSTODY
— Department of State Services (DSS) (@OfficialDSSNG) June 10, 2023
The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.
Emefiele was suspended yesterday as announced by the Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey. He said that Emefiele was suspended following an ongoing investigation as well as because of a planned reform of the financial sector.
A statement released by Bassey announcing Emefiele’s suspension read;
“This is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.
“Mr. Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms.”