DSS re-arrests Emefiele after confrontation with prison officers
In a dramatic turn of events, suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, was re-arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) following a scuffle with officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS).
Emefiele’s re-arrest came after Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court in Lagos granted him bail in the sum of N20 million, ordering that he remain at the correctional center until the bail conditions were met.
READ ALSO: Court grants Godwin Emefiele N20 million bail
As the court ruling concluded, DSS operatives positioned their Hilux Pick Up van, as if indicating their intention to take Emefiele back to their detention center. Alarmed by this, Emefiele’s lead counsel, Joseph Daudu, and other lawyers raised concerns about the planned re-arrest by the secret police.
In an attempt to avoid a potential confrontation, Emefiele and his lawyers sought refuge inside the courtroom. However, when the prison officials moved to take Emefiele into custody until the bail conditions were fulfilled, a clash erupted between them and the DSS agents
Reluctantly, Emefiele’s lawyers allowed the DSS to disobey the court order and take custody of their client to prevent further escalation. Subsequently, the prison officials left the scene in their vehicle, while the DSS took over control of the situation.
At precisely 03:13 pm, DSS operatives escorted the suspended CBN governor out of the courtroom and into their waiting vehicle.
President Bola Tinubu had suspended Emefiele as the apex bank chief on June 9, 2023. The following day, the secret police confirmed that Emefiele was in their custody.
Quote from unnamed source: “We stand by our actions to take custody of Emefiele as authorized by relevant authorities. The situation became tense, but we aim to uphold the law and ensure the safety of all parties involved.”
