Toba Owojaiye reporting
The Department of State Security Services, DSS, is reportedly preparing to release the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, unless there are unexpected changes.
As per information from sources within the Presidency and the Ministry of Justice, Emefiele is scheduled to be formally transferred to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, later today.
This development follows the recent release of the former EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
Emefiele has been in DSS custody since June 10th, facing allegations of involvement in fraud and various other offenses. On July 25, he was brought before a federal high court in Ikoyi on a two-count charge related to the “illegal possession” of firearms and was granted bail of N20 million.
The presiding judge, Nicholas Oweibo, ordered Emefiele to remain in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service until he fulfills his bail conditions.
However, the DSS insisted on retaining custody of Emefiele, leading to a conflict between the secret police and prison officials. This resulted in Emefiele’s rearrest at the court premises.