Former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, attends an event in Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, May 22, 2023. Nigeria's suspended Central Bank governor who was detained for more than a month has been charged following a court directive, the secret police said Thursday, July 13. Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria was charged after he was investigated for alleged "criminal infractions," said Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the secret police, the Department of State Services. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
Former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, attends an event in Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, May 22, 2023. Nigeria's suspended Central Bank governor who was detained for more than a month has been charged following a court directive, the secret police said Thursday, July 13. Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria was charged after he was investigated for alleged "criminal infractions," said Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the secret police, the Department of State Services. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)
SAKANO, Nigeria (AP) — The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria was charged after a month in detention under a court directive Thursday that officials act against the man or let him go, the secret police agency announced.
Godwin Emefiele was charged after being investigated for alleged “criminal infractions,” said Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the secret police, the Department of State Services.
Afunanya's statement, however, did not specify the charges filed against Emefiele in the capital, Abuja. The police agency had in 2022 accused him of terrorism financing and economic crimes, both of which carry long jail terms.
Shortly after he took office in June, new President Bola Tinubu directed Emefiele’s suspension, saying the move was related to the investigation of his office as the central bank governor and planned reforms in the financial sector.
Emefiele was then taken into custody and has been detained since, prompting him to sue the secret police recently on the grounds of illegal detention and a breach of his human rights.
While ruling on his application earlier Thursday, a high court in Abuja directed that the former central bank governor either be charged within one week or be released.
“The continued detention of the applicant cannot be justified in the absence of any charge against him. At the very least, justice demands that applicant (Emefiele) should be released on administrative bail,” the local judge said.
It is unclear what the duration of Emefiele’s trial could be though such high-profile trials in Nigeria typically last for several months.
The secret police said it would ensure professionalism, justice and fairness in handling the matter.
The ɫtv Press. All rights reserved.
For many Indigenous communities, access to financial services and economic opportu…
Trust in international money transfers has long been tied to physical places: a ba…
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Tax: | |
| Today's total: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
