Emefiele’s Suspension: DSS Uncovers Identities Of Individuals Plotting Against Tinubu

Ilesanmi AdekanbiJune 18, 2023

2 minutes read

The Department of State Services (DSS) has exposed a plan by some persons and groups to launch a smear campaign against it and the government of President Bola Tinubu over the suspension and investigation of the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the DSS said it has uncovered the identities of those behind the plot, who intend to stage protests in Abuja and Lagos next week with placards portraying the DSS and Tinubu’s administration in a negative light and demanding the immediate release of Emefiele.

The DSS stated that the plot is part of a cheap propaganda aimed at demoralizing and distracting it from carrying out its professional duties and responsibilities. It also noted the misleading commentaries, speculative narratives, storylines and videos being circulated in the social media by uninformed parties, critics and/or desperadoes.

The DSS in the statement said: “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.”

The statement further clarified that the DSS had granted access to Emefiele’s family, medical officials and appropriate persons since the day he was taken into custody and long before the court order requesting so.

Emefiele was suspended by President Tinubu on June 9, 2023, after serving as the CBN governor for nine years under two different administrations.

He is currently being investigated for alleged financial misconduct and abuse of office during his tenure.

Emefiele is a Nigerian politician, economist and banker who was appointed as the CBN governor in 2014 by former President Goodluck Jonathan and had his tenure renewed by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

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He oversaw Nigeria’s biggest economic downturn, with two recessions, record-high inflation and soaring debt profile.

He also implemented controversial monetary policies, such as propping up the Naira with foreign exchange interventions and introducing multiple exchange rate regimes. He is an alumnus of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Stanford University, Harvard University and Wharton School of Business.