FAKE NEWS ALERT: We didn’t invade CBN, says DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) has described reports that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to arrest Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, as “fake news”.

There were reports on Monday across social media platforms that the DSS stormed the CBN headquarters to arrest Emefiele over allegations of terrorism financing.

But in a statement issued by Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, the agency debunked the claims.

“The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the round that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested its Governor, today 16/1/23. This is fake news and quite misleading,” the statement reads.

TheCable had earlier reported Emefiele’s return to Nigeria after his annual vacation abroad.

Emefiele, who left the country in December 2022, returned on Monday and commenced his duties.

During his time away, there had been concerns over his whereabouts, especially after reports that the DSS had approached a federal high court in Abuja seeking a warrant to arrest him over alleged terrorism financing.

In declining the ex parte motion — usually filed by an applicant in the absence of the respondent — John Tsoho, the chief judge, said the DSS did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.

Also, a federal capital territory (FCT) high court sitting in Maitama later issued an order restraining the DSS from arresting the CBN governor.

There are speculations that the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political, given the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the elections.