DSS have arrested suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele hours after Tinubu replaced him

Godwin Emefiele, the Central Bank of Nigeria's suspended governor, has been taken into custody by the DSS.

DSS detained him on Friday. Shortly after Emefiele's suspension by President Bola Tinubu, news of the arrest broke. Emefiele was placed on administrative leave, according to the president, because of an ongoing investigation into his office and upcoming banking sector reforms.

The DSS requested an order to arrest Emefiele prior to his suspension on December 7, 2022, in an exparte application with reference number FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022.

The security service accused Emefiele of supporting terrorism, engaging in fraud, and committing financial crimes with a bearing on national security.

However, Justice J.T. Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, declined to approve the DSS's motion. The court ruled that because 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 permission.