Naira Redesign: Court Bar DSS From Arresting CBN Governor, Emefiele

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has barred the Department of State Service (DSS) from arresting the Governor Of Central Bank Of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

The DSS had accused Emefiele of “acts of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.”

In a suit dated December 7, 2022, with reference number FHC/Abj/CS/2255/2022, the DSS demanded to arrest the CBN governor.

However, the presiding judge, Justice J.T Tsoho gave the ruling declining to grant the application for the governor’s arrest on December 9, 2022.

Pronouncing his judgement Tsoho said, “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 the court. If however the applicant desires to still pursue this application, then it should place the respondent on notice considering the sensitive public office that he occupies.”

In a similar development, a coalition of human rights activist, Arewa Youth Consultative Movement and public interest lawyers under the umbrella of Coalition of National Interest Defenders had on Monday expressed worry over plot by the Department of State Service to move the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele for allegedly financing terrorism.

According to the group, DSS planned to sack the CBN governor was orchestrated by politicians who were not comfortable with the economic reform policy of the apex bank, especially the designation of the naira.

The DSS while reacting to the allegation by the group insisted that it would not join issues with those protesting the suit filed against the CBN governor, saying they were on a wild goose chase.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya.

The agency maintained that it remain focused and unbiased and not succumb to propaganda, intimidation and the desperation of hirelings to undermine it.

“While professionally discharging its mandate, the DSS pledges to. It will also not give room to the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.

Similarly, they also warned cautioned those on a wild goose chase to be mindful of their actions and urged members of the public to disregard the vituperations and rantings of misguided elements and not allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.”