Strong indications have emerged that some top directors of the Central Bank of Nigeria are in deep trouble over the issues around the removal and eventual arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
A source who doesn’t want his identity disclosed told the Network that the Security operatives especially the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission are investigating a set of directors who played central role under Emefiele.
In December, top officials of the bank were interrogated while the nation’s security made furtive moves to ban Emefiele.
The source said that it is the position of the security agencies that Emefiele did not act alone in the key issues that culminated in his removal and eventual arrest by the DSS.
Findings by the Network revealed the Director Development Finance and the Director Procurement Services at the apex bank are under heavy security scrutiny in the unfolding investigation into the activities of the former Governor of the CBN, Emefiele.
Sources said that operatives of the EFCC have on some occasions visited the apex bank at the Central Business District to question the Director, Development Finance on issues around the anchor borrowers Programme and the curious Abuja rice pyramids.
It was further learnt that a former Director of Development Finance, who retired from the CBN around 2020, identified as Emmanuel Ukeje is under close security watch.
Upon retirement, Ukeje was said to have been re-engaged as Special Adviser to Emefiele to date.
The Network investigation further revealed that there is fear in the CBN as many of those who called the shot under Emefiele are being discreetly investigated by security operatives.
A source said that there is a high likelihood that about 10 directors might be swept away by the ongoing scrutiny of the books of the CBN under Emefiele.
The source added that the Acting Governor of the CBN would not hide anything from operatives whose findings might jolt the country.
The Department of State Services confirmed arresting the embattled former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele for terrorism related crimes against Nigeria.
The Network investigation reveal that the nation’s secret police had put border and airport operatives on the alert to arrest the embattled CBN Governor anywhere they find him.
He was eventually picked up when the President fired him on Friday.
It was gathered that eagle eyes operatives were deployed to ensure that Emefiele who was believed to be desperate does not escape from from them country.
The Director, Information to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey, made the announcement in a statement on Friday
He said that the action was sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect.
“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.” He said
In December, the DSS intensified moves to arrest Emefiele for suspected terrorism.
The nation’s secret police was said to have issued a directive Emefiele should be picked up any moment he is sighted by operatives of DSS anywhere within the borders of the country.
The DSS had filed a suit , with reference number FHC/Abj/CS/2255/2022, on December 7, 2022, in which it requested an order to arrest the CBN governor.
An Abuja Federal High Court presided over by Justice J.T Tsoho had declined a request by the Agency to arrest Emefiele.
The secret police according to a court document was moving to arrest Emefiele over allegations bothering on “acts of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.”
Justice Tsoho declined to grant the application for the Emefiele’s arrest on December 9, 2022.
The judge held that the DSS should have taken the court into confidence on Emefiele’s alleged activities as its standing alone on the matter is not enough to deprive him of his liberty.
The court further held that the respondent was simply identified as Godwin Emefiele without his position.
Similarly, another High Court of the Federal Capital Territory forbade the DSS from arresting and detaining the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Godwin Emefiele on the grave allegations bordering on terrorism financing and economic crimes.
Justice M.A. Hassan, the presiding judge, who issued the restraining order on Thursday also barred the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), from arresting him.
A source had said that the DSS might come out with evidence which Will baffle those defending Emefiele.
Muhammed Kazaure Gudaji, the member representing the Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, Yankwashi Constituency of Jigawa State in the House Representatives had hinted in a viral video that the DSS is investigating Emefiele for giving loans to people who use the funds to buy guns to terrorize Nigerians.
However, the former President, Muhammadu Buhari may have restrained the DSS which is believed to have a rock solid evidence against Emefiele from arresting and interrogating him at the twilight of his administration.