Oluwanifemi Ojo
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force reportedly stormed the Abuja residence of the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, The PUNCH reported.
AMBusiness reports that this is coming about 24 hours after the operatives of the Department of State Services stormed the CBN governor’s office, following his return to the country on Monday after weeks of suspense about his whereabouts.
However, The PUNCH added that about 10 armed police officers were seen around 8:40 pm, on Tuesday at Emefiele’s home at No.8 Colorado, Maitama, Abuja.
The publication went further to quote a source within the NPF, who revealed that the blockage was a follow-up with the CBN governor’s appearance at the Federal High Court, Abuja tomorrow, Wednesday, over a $53 million debt related to the Paris Club refund.
According to the anonymous source, Emefiele will appear in court tomorrow because of the Paris Club refund that he has not clarified.
“The governor is expected to be in court tomorrow over the $53 million judgment debt in relation to the Paris Club refund which he’s yet to clarify.
“The police officers are not there to arrest, but they’re there to ensure that he doesn’t run away again as he did weeks ago,” the source said.
Meanwhile, the Force Headquarters and the Federal Capital Territory Police Command have claimed to be unaware of the siege.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, when contacted, denied knowledge of the actions of these policemen.
Also, the FCT PPRO, Josephine Adeh said he does not know anything about the siege.
DSS denies alleged invasion of CBN HQ
The DSS, on Monday, denied invading the headquarters of the CBN over Emefiele’s alleged involvement in sponsoring terrorism.
The spokesperson for the agency, Peter Afunanya, in a statement, described the report alleging that the secret police took over the office of the governor of the CBN as fake news and misleading.
He said, “The attention of the (DSS) has been drawn to the false news making the rounds that its operatives invaded the Central Bank of Nigeria and arrested the governor today (yesterday). This is fake news and quite misleading.”
Earlier, it was gathered that operatives of the agency stormed the CBN, taking over the office of Emefiele. The agencies’ armed personnel allegedly entered the premises with about 20 vehicles. It was also learnt that the operatives barred all staff of the bank from gaining access to Emefiele’s office.
Recall that, the DSS had accused Emefiele of fraud and allegedly sponsoring terrorism against Nigeria, and had also sought a court order to arrest Emefiele.
However, the Federal High Court had, in December, barred the DSS from arresting, inviting, or detaining Emefiele.
