Emefiele had access to family, doctors before court order, says DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) says Godwin Emefiele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had access to family and medical officials.

On Friday, a federal capital territory (FCT) high court sitting in Maitama had ordered the DSS to allow Emefiele to have access to his lawyers and family.

In a statement by Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, on Saturday, the secret service agency said Emefiele had access to his family and doctors before the court order.

The DSS also said it has uncovered “planned campaign of calumny” by some individuals against the government over Emefiele’s suspension.

“Such groups intend to gather at different points in Abuja and Lagos in the coming week with placards depicting the service and government in bad light as well as calling for the immediate release of Emefiele,” Afunanya said.

“The service is, therefore, aware of a cheap propaganda aimed at demotivating and distracting it from professionally executing the onerous responsibilities assigned to it.

“It has also noted the misleading commentaries, speculative narratives, storylines and videos being circulated in the social media by uninformed parties, critics and/or desperadoes. It is mindful of orchestrations to infiltrate its fold for the purpose of using disloyal staff for subversive aims against its leadership.

“While these efforts are considered as hatchet jobs designed to distract, the service warns the plotters to desist forthwith from their plans. This is more so that the arrow heads are already under watch and will be apprehended when and if it becomes necessary.

“It is instructive to state that the service had granted the family of Emefiele, medical officials and appropriate persons access to him, right from the day he was taken in and long before the court order requesting so. The service implements standard operating procedures on suspect handling and investigation to the latter. It conducts its affairs transparently, professionally and respects the rule of law in compliance with democratic governance.

“For the avoidance of doubt, it assures of its professionalism in the current matter(s) under its purview. It will, however, not be distracted or intimidated.”

On June 9, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele and asked him to transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, deputy governor, operations directorate.

The DSS had announced that Emefiele was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.