The Department of State Services (DSS) has debunked reports that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to arrest the governor of the apex bank, Godwin Emefiele, while describing the reports as “fake news”.
The Nigerian News gathered that some reports had gone viral on Monday across social media platforms claiming that the DSS stormed the CBN headquarters to arrest Emefiele over allegations of terrorism financing.
However, the DSS, in a statement issued by its spokesman, Peter Afunanya, debunked the claims.
The statement reads, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the round that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested its Governor, today 16/1/23. This is fake news and quite misleading”.
The Nigerian News had earlier reported Emefiele’s return to Nigeria on Monday after his annual vacation abroad since December 2022, and immediately resumed his duties.
While he was away, there had been concerns over his whereabouts, particularly after reports had emerged that the DSS had approached a federal high court in Abuja seeking a warrant to arrest him over alleged terrorism financing.
While rejecting the ex parte motion which is usually filed by an applicant in the absence of the respondent, Justice John Tsoho ruled the DSS did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.
Also, an FCT high court sitting in Maitama later issued an order restraining the DSS from arresting the CBN governor.
Meanwhile, there are speculations that the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political, considering the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the elections.
