BREAKING: Court Stops DSS From Arresting CBN Governor, Emefiele Over Alleged Terrorism Financing

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, has turned down a request by the Directorate of State Service (DSS) to arrest the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, over allegation of terrorism financing.

After a motion exparte was moved by the DSS, Justice Tsoho, in his ruling dated December 13, 2022 told the agency to put the CBN governor on notice of the pendency of the motion, adding that if they felt strongly convinced about the allegation against him, they can as well arrest and detain him without a court order.

In his ruling on the Exparte Motion, the court held, “In the light of the foregoing reasons, I decline to grant this application Ex-Parte. If the Applicant believes that the evidence available to it so far is sufficient, then it can as well arrest and detain the Applicant, even without the Order of this Court.”

The Respondent in this application was named as “Godwin Emefiele” without disclosure of his status or position anywhere; not even in the affidavit. It is left to speculation if the “Godwin Emefiele” is the same person as the serving Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria or not.

If it is, then he is unarguably a high ranking Public Official in Nigeria and indeed occupies a sensitive position as one of the key drivers of the nation’s economy.

“Therefore, an application of this kind should have evidence of the approval of the Respondent’s boss, that such measures are authorised to be taken. I however do not find such evidence in this instant application, whereas it Is a necessary procedure In the observance of the Rule of Law.

Meanwhile, DSS has warned Nigerians against being used to “undermine” its investigations following the incident.

Peter Afunanya, the DSS spokesperson, in a statement issued on Monday, noted that said the service will not be distracted by those seeking to use “propaganda” to undermine its lawful investigations.

According to him, one of the duties of the DSS is the “investigation of matters of national security dimension. It has always discharged this responsibility in the overall interest of Nigerian citizens.

“As such, the Service will continue to disseminate actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities devoid of any sentiment.

“While professionally discharging its mandate, the DSS pledges to remain focused and unbiased. It will not, by any means, succumb to propaganda, intimidation and the desperation of hirelings to undermine it.

“It will also not give room to the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.

“Given not to join issues, the Service warns those on a wild goose chase to be mindful of their actions. Similarly, it urges members of the public to disregard the vituperations and rantings of misguided elements and not allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.

“Notably, these elements should remember the famous axiom that ‘you will only deceive some people, some of the time, but not all people, all the time’.

“To put it succinctly, the Service will not be distracted by persons and/or groups from carrying out its duties to the Nation, citizens, and, President and Commander-in-Chief.”