The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is presently under the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He is currently undergoing interrogation at the EFCC’s National Headquarters in Jabi, Abuja. This follows his arrest by EFCC operatives just hours after he was released from the Department of State Services’ custody. An authoritative source disclosed this development on Friday, indicating that the EFCC is investigating Emefiele for alleged financial improprieties during his tenure as the head of the central bank.
It is also possible that additional charges will be filed against him by the EFCC.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for official confirmation at the time of contact. Emefiele had been in DSS custody since June when President Bola Tinubu suspended him from his position.
He was subsequently directed to transfer his duties to Folashodun Shonubi, the Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate at the central bank. A day later, the DSS announced that Emefiele was in their custody for investigative reasons.
On July 25, he was brought to court on a two-count charge related to “illegal possession” of firearms, and he was granted bail of N20 million.
These charges were later dropped by the Federal Government on August 17. However, a new 20-count charge was brought against him, alleging conspiracy to commit procurement fraud, among other offenses.
The arraignment has been delayed twice, and there were reports that Emefiele proposed a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Government, which included his resignation as CBN governor and asset disgorgement.
On September 22, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation, and Olayemi Cardoso was appointed as the new governor of the apex bank.
