The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, into custody, launching an investigation into alleged impropriety during his tenure as the head of the apex bank, News About Nigeria reports.
Emefiele was arrested on Thursday night, just a brief period after his release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). He is currently undergoing questioning at the National Headquarters of the EFCC in Jabi, Abuja.
An inside source confirmed that the EFCC’s investigation revolves around allegations of financial mismanagement and other matters related to Emefiele’s time as the CBN governor.
The source stated, “Yes, Emefiele is currently in our (EFCC) custody; he was arrested last night less than an hour after the DSS freed him. He’s currently being interrogated at the Headquarters, as he’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds amongst other things during his term as CBN governor.”
Emefiele’s troubles began earlier this year when the DSS apprehended him in June.
On the same day, President Bola Tinubu suspended him from office with immediate effect. At the time, the Presidency cited the ‘ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy’ as the reasons for his suspension.
Meanwhile, Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was released from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 25.
News About Nigeria reported that Bawa had been in detention since June when he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu amid serious allegations of abuse of office.
Willie Bassey, the Director of Information at the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, had initially announced Bawa’s suspension, citing weighty allegations of misconduct as the reason behind the decision.
Among these allegations was the claim made by Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State and the current Minister of State for Defence, who accused Bawa of soliciting a $2 million bribe from him.
Bawa vehemently denied the accusation.
The suspension was intended to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into Bawa’s conduct during his tenure as the head of the EFCC.
Following his release, a video of Bawa’s reunion with his wives and children went viral on social media.
