The Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly made orders to its agents to arrest the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as soon as he is seen in public. The DSS has attempted to gain a Nigerian court’s approval for the arrest, though so far without success.

Nigerian Court Refuses to Authorize Arrest

As the controversy over the failed arrest of the CBN Governor continues, a new report from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) reveals that the trend continues to hold. According to Sahara Reporters, the Nigerian Department of State Services (DSS) have a warrant to “arrest him on the spot.” Additionally, the report asserts that the agents are monitoring his movements at the CBN headquarters and his family’s residence in Lagos.

The report also explains that the unconfirmed plot by the DSS to arrest Emefiele was part of President Muhammadu Buhari’s entourage to the US-Africa Leadership Summit in Washington DC a few weeks ago. In front of Nigerian High Court Judge John Tsoho, DSS was rebuffed for trying to use a deceptive claim “to deprive a person [Emefiele] of his liberty.” Judge Tsoho declared that the court will not accept the decision of the security agency to arrest the CBN Governor and that he is free.

Opponents Seek to Remove Emefiele Over CBN’s Cashless Policies

Despite the court ruling, the DSS has continued to strive to apprehend Emefiele, as he is accused alongside a number of people, including some from the United States, of financing terrorists. It is rumored that the CBN Governor has been avoiding public gatherings and a scheduled appearance before Nigerian lawmakers due to the DSS’s pursuit. “Emefiele allegedly refused to return to Nigeria citing heart ailment. He was supposed to return to Nigeria yesterday after I returned from my trip [President Muhammadu] Buhari to the US-Africa Leadership Summit in Washington DC,” said an anonymous source.

The source went on to suggest that Emefiele will keep playing hide and seek with the DSS until he steps down as the CBN Governor. According to reports, politicians who are dissatisfied with the CBN’s decisions, such as the recent introduction of new naira notes, are exacerbating the DSS’s issues. Moreover, reports suggest that the DSS plot to capture the CBN Governor is being supported by groups that oppose the central bank’s cashless policy.

Sign up to get a weekly update from African News directly in your inbox

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below.

Terence Zimwara

Terence Zimwara is an award-winning journalist, author, and writer from Zimbabwe. He has written extensively on economic struggles in certain African nations, and how digital currencies can help people escape from such countries.