Tinubu’s SSS repeatedly violated Godwin Emefiele’s human rights: U.S.

The State Security Service attached to Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, violated the rights of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, a report by the U.S. government has revealed.

Mr Emefiele, who supervised different unfavourable economic reforms and policy in the country’s apex bank, was suspended by Mr Tinubu in June, last year.

According to the U.S. annual global report on human rights, during the arrest of Mr Emefiele, a fight broke out between the operatives of the SSS and the Nigerian Correctional Service officers.

Both operatives tried to take custody of the ex-CBN governor after he was granted bail by a federal high court in Lagos.

“Security personnel reportedly arbitrarily arrested numerous persons during the year. In their prosecution of corruption cases, law enforcement and intelligence agencies did not always follow due process, arresting suspects without appropriate arrest and search warrants.

“On June 10, the DSS detained suspended Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele “for investigative reasons.” On July 25, the Federal High Court in Lagos granted Emefiele bail and ordered he be held at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until the bail was made,” the report released on April 22, 2024 further revealed.

Last year, the SSS alleged Mr Emefiele of financing terrorism among several other allegations.

The secret police had also requested a court order last December to arrest him on allegations of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities and economic crimes.

Earlier, Mr Emefiele had faced criticism due to his controversial foray into partisan politics, which saw him contest the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress.

His tenure led to the introduction of a new naira design policy which was widely criticised by many Nigerians for its uncertainty and widespread chaos it triggered across the country.