DSS, OAGF Refuse Bail for Suspended Emefiele

The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Office of Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF) have asked the Federal Capital Territory High Court not to grant bail to the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele is challenging his detention by the secret police, but the DSS and the OAGF have described him as a “flight risk.”

According to an affidavit presented in court, the DSS has listed some of its reasons for arresting Emefiele. The affidavit states that the suspended CBN governor was arrested “upon reasonable suspicion of committing acts which constitute a criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security dimension and undermining the security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Emefiele was reportedly granted study leave by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May, and reports emerged that he had already paid for studies abroad. However, former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, urged Buhari not to grant any “study leave” to Emefiele, saying that the suspended CBN governor must remain in Nigeria to give full accounts to the incoming administration.