Complying by a previous order of either releasing or charging Godwin Emefiele, the Department of State Security (DSS) in Nigeria announced on Thursday it had filed charges in court against the detained and suspended central bank governor.
There are criminal charges against Emefiele like embezzlement of funds, showed documents submitted by government lawyers. If proven guilty, the charges could lead him to jail. The DSS did not provide details regarding the charges against Emefiele and his court appearance is pending.
Police arrested Emefiele on June 10, a day after President Bola Tinubu suspended him. The DSS said, “Sequel to an Abuja High Court Order of today, 13th July, 2023, the Department of State Services hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele has been charged to Court in compliance with the order.”
The President suspended Godwin Emefiele before he completed his first two weeks in his office. Emefiele in his tenure had put restrictions on foreign currency trading which the central bank lifted soon after his suspension. This move was taken by Tinubu’s new administration to reform the central bank and which made investors happy.
Emefiele’s attorneys will get court papers, and the court will then schedule a date for his indictment, during which he will be required to enter a plea. According to the Constitution of Nigeria, authorities cannot detain the accused for more than 48 hours without appearing in court.
Emefiele was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari for a second tenure, after completing his first term, in 2019 and would have retired in 2024. Buhari had supported a strong currency which he viewed as a matter of national pride.
According to government attorneys, they have acquired a lower magistrate court order to keep Emefiele in custody longer while investigations are ongoing.
 in Nigeria announced on Thursday it had filed charges in court against Godwin Emefiele.){kind=link}