Godwin Emefiele, the ex-governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, is presently under detainment in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Africa Today News, New York, has reported that Emefiele is presently being interrogated at the National Headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Jabi, Abuja. He was taken into custody by EFCC operatives on Thursday night, shortly after his release from the Department of State Services’ dungeon.
According to a highly reliable source, the information was disclosed to our correspondent on Friday morning, revealing that the EFCC is investigating Emefiele for alleged misconduct during his tenure as the head of the apex bank.
‘Yes, Emefiele is currently in our (EFCC) custody; he was arrested last night less than an hour after the DSS freed him. He’s currently being interrogated at the headquarters, as he’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds amongst other things during his term as CBN governor,’ the source noted.
Reports have indicated that the EFCC is mulling over the possibility of lodging fresh charges against Emefiele.
On Friday, when contacted by our journalists, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for official confirmation.
Africa Today News, New York, reported that Emefiele had been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June, following his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu.
Afterward, he was instructed to pass on his duties to Folashodun Shonubi, who was then the Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate at the apex bank.
The following day, the DSS announced that Emefiele was under their custody for ‘specific investigative reasons’.
He appeared in a federal high court in Lagos on July 25, where he faced a two-count charge connected to the “illegal possession” of firearms and was granted bail worth N20 million.
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The Federal Government withdrew the two-count charge, leading to its dismissal on August 17.
In recent development, a fresh 20-count charge was brought against him, accusing him of a conspiracy to engage in procurement fraud and other related misconduct.
Twice, the arraignment has been put on hold, and it has been reported that Emefiele has proposed a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Government.
According to the proposed agreement, Emefiele was expected to resign as the CBN governor and surrender specific assets.
However, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation on September 22, following Olayemi Cardoso’s appointment as the substantive governor of the apex bank.