JUST IN: DSS silent over Emefiele’s release

The Department of State Services (DSS) has kept mum over the reported release of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Emefiele was reportedly released from custody on Thursday night but was promptly picked up by operatives of the EFCC.

It could not be immediately established if he was released by the Service and thereafter arrested by the EFCC or if he was handed over officially.

The spokesman of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, was yet to respond to inquiries over the matter at the time of filing this report.

Emefiele has been in the custody of the secret police since June 10.

He had been arrested over allegations of financial mismanagement among other issues, following his suspension as CBN governor on June 9 by President Bola Tinubu.

It was also gathered that the embattled former CBN boss who faces another round of questioning, also has fresh charges against him.

Among the top officials of the CBN that have been questioned by the DSS in relation to the issue was the then Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of Economic Policy, Obiora Kingsley.

On July 25, Emefiele was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on “illegal possession” of firearms at a federal high court in Lagos and was granted a N20 million bail. The two-count charge was later withdrawn by the federal government.

However, a fresh 20-count charge was instituted against him over an alleged conspiracy to carry out procurement fraud, among others. However, arraignment has been stalled twice.

Emefiele was reported to have proposed a plea bargain agreement with the federal government including resignation from office among other conditions.