According to reliable sources, Emefiele was detained by EFCC operatives less than an hour after regaining his freedom from the DSS. The EFCC is probing him for possible misappropriation of funds and other alleged irregularities during his time as the head of the central bank.
Fresh charges against Emefiele may also be forthcoming from the EFCC. However, the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for official confirmation at the time of reporting.
Emefiele had been in DSS custody since June, following his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu. He was asked to transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the then Deputy Governor of the Operations Directorate at the CBN. The DSS announced Emefiele’s detention in July for investigative reasons and later arraigned him on firearms possession charges, which were subsequently withdrawn by the Federal Government. Subsequently, a new 20-count charge was brought against him, including allegations of conspiracy related to procurement fraud.
The arraignment of these charges has faced delays, and Emefiele reportedly proposed a plea bargain agreement with the Federal Government, which would involve his resignation as CBN governor and the forfeiture of certain assets. On September 22, the CBN officially confirmed Emefiele’s resignation, and Olayemi Cardoso was appointed as the new governor of the central bank.
