Suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele’s Friday night ‘arrest’ by the Department of State Services (DSS) is currently provoking reactions among Nigerians on social media.
The DSS picked up Emefiele in Abuja shortly after the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) announced his suspension from office, it was learnt.
Emefiele was suspended due to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy, the SGF’s office said.
Recall that the DSS had on December 7, 2022, in an exparte application with reference no: FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022, sought a court order to arrest the CBN governor, on the grounds of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.
However, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho refused to grant the DSS’s application.
In his December 13, 2022, ruling, Justice Tsoho said the secret police failed to prove its claim against the CBN governor.
Although the DSS has refused to confirm or deny Friday night’s arrest of Emefiele, many Nigerians have taken to Twitter to express their thoughts on the matter.
A former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore said, “DSS reportedly picks up / detains former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. In an ideal society, his main accomplice in the military, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor should be arrested and tried with Emefiele. Of course not leaving out former President @MBuhari as well.”
A Twitter influencer, Daniel Regha said, “DSS reportedly arresting Godwin Emefiele while the EFCC is yet to arrest Hadi Sirika goes to show how selective justice is being practiced in Nigeria; Sirika should be arrested by now over corruption allegations, but the EFCC seems to be turning a blind eye. It’s truly shameful.”
George Akor Daniel said, “Hope the spirit of being apprehended & not being prosecuted wont happen to this one this time around. We have seen cases of many who went through similar but @ the end, they went scout free. Some we don’t even know how the story ended; it just went down low as nothing happened.”
Another Twitter influencer, @Waspapping_ said, “CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele reportedly arrested by DSS This is good news if true. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing everything right at this point of his presidency, it’s almost impossible not to be filled with hope even for someone that voted Atiku Abubakar.”
@Drpenking said, “Godwin Emefiele has been arrested by DSS after being suspended by Tinubu. One thing you have to admire about Tinubu is the fact that he followed the constitution on this. A CBN Governor can’t be sacked by the president but can be suspended. Also he can’t be arrested.”
@endyy090 said, “Witch hunting. Serves him right. After turning Nigerians to spiderman, I have no pity for him.”
@AbimbolaSuccess said, “Next should be Buhari cos he didn’t act alone! He took orders from Aso villa.”
@ChrissKelechi said, “Power is truly transient. If only our politicians can keep this in mind.”