ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Godwin Emefiele, the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor has been released from custody and promptly taken into the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further questioning.
The embattled former CBN Governor is currently undergoing an interrogation process, and there are strong indications that new charges will be brought against him.
Emefiele had been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June following a suspension imposed on him by President Bola Tinubu.
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Subsequently, he was directed to transfer his duties to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the then Deputy Governor of the Operations Directorate at the apex bank.
The day after his suspension, the DSS publicly announced that Emefiele was in their custody for “investigative reasons.”
On 25 July, he was arraigned in a federal high court in Lagos on a two-count charge related to “illegal possession” of firearms and was granted bail in the amount of N20 million.
The two-count charge was later withdrawn by the federal government on 17 August. Nevertheless, a fresh 20-count charge was brought against him, alleging involvement in a conspiracy related to procurement fraud, among other accusations.
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The arraignment has been postponed twice, and there were reports suggesting that Emefiele was considering a plea bargain arrangement, according to TheCable.
This agreement reportedly required Emefiele to resign from his position as CBN Governor and forfeit certain assets.
On 22 September, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation following the appointment of Olayemi Cardoso as the substantive governor of the central bank.
However, reports had indicated on Thursday that Emefiele was on the verge of regaining his freedom.