The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

It was earlier reported the arrest of Emefiele by the DSS, shortly after he was suspended by President Bola Tinubu.

But on Saturday, the Service, on its Twitter handle said Emefiele was not in its custody.

Despite the denial by the DSS, report has it that the former CBN chief was in the custody of the secret police.

But confirming the report on Saturday evening, DSS spokesman, Peter Afunanya, posted: “The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.”

The Department of State Services (DSS) says suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, is not in its custody.

Following the announcement of Emefiele’s suspension, there were reports that he was arrested by operatives of the secret police.

Reacting in a terse statement posted on Twitter on Saturday morning, the DSS said the suspended CBN governor is “currently” not in detention.

“Currently, Emefiele is not with the DSS,” the tweet reads.

However, DSS did not elaborate on whether he was previously apprehended.

The office of the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) announced Emefiele’s suspension on Friday.

Willie Bassey, director of information, SGF office, had said Emefiele was to transfer his responsibilities to the deputy governor, operations directorate.

Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the deputy governor, is expected to act as the CBN governor pending the conclusion of an investigation of Emefiele’s office.

Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will on Monday, June 12 address the nation, in commemoration of Democracy Day, the Federal Government announced on Friday.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, who disclosed this on Friday while addressing a world press conference in Abuja, also unveiled a two-item programme for this year’s Democracy Day.

According to Akume, this year’s celebration would be kept low-key, owing to the fact that the nation just came out of an elaborate Presidential Inauguration Programme.

“It is important to note that the Democracy Day has been reviewed to be celebrated annually from May, 29 to June 12 to honour the heroes who championed the struggle and made extra-ordinary sacrifice for the enthronement of the democratic rule in Nigeria from 1999 till date.

“However, May 29 remains the date or anniversary of handing over or taking over of power, and this happens every four (4) years according to the Nigerian Constitution.

“To commemorate this year’s anniversary, it is expedient for citizens and foreigners alike to take stock of how the nation has fared so far and assess the dividends that Democracy has ensued as well as areas where we need to make improvements. It is in light of this that the theme of this year’s Democracy celebration is ‘Hope Reassured’.

“It is pertinent to state that having had an elaborate Presidential inauguration this year, activities to mark the 2023 June 12, Democracy Day will be low key with the following two major activities:

“Presidential Broadcast,Monday, 12th June, 2023,7:00am.

“The events will be broadcast live on all major stations and streamed on various social media platforms,” Akume stated.