KANO, Nigeria (AP) — The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is accused of spending a month in detention under a court order on Thursday for officials to take action against the man or let him go, the secret police said. Godwin Emefiele was charged after being investigated for alleged "criminal offenses", said Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the secret police, Department of State Services. In the Afunanya case, the charges against Emefiele in the capital Abuja were not disclosed. The police agency charged him in 2022 with supporting terrorism and economic crimes, both of which carry long prison terms. Shortly after assuming office in June, new President Bola Tinubu ordered the suspension of Emefiele, saying it was linked to the investigation into his office as central bank governor and reforms in the financial sector. Emefiele went to prison and has since been arrested, prompting him to sue the secret police recently for illegal detention and human rights violations. While ruling on his plea earlier on Thursday, the Abuja High Court ordered that the former central bank governor be arrested within a week or face release. for several months. The secret police said they will ensure excellence, justice, and fairness in handling the case.
“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.
