The suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has never been denied access to his lawyers, medical officers, or relatives, according to the Department of State Services.
This comes after the DSS was directed by a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama to give Emefiele access to his attorneys and family.
Emefiele was arrested on June 10 after he was suspended by the President, Bola Tinubu, citing reforms in the financial sector as well as to carry out investigation into his office.
However, a statement on Saturday by the spokesperson for the service, Peter Afunanya, indicated that the DSS had complied with its Standards Operating Procedures handling Emefiele’s matter.
The statement partly read, “It is instructive to state that the service had granted the family of Emefiele, medical officials and appropriate persons access to him, right from the day he was taken in and long before the court order requesting so.
“The service implements Standards Operating Procedures on Suspect Handling and Investigation to the latter. It conducts its affairs transparently and professionally and respects the rule of law in compliance with democratic governance.”
Afunanya also said the service had uncovered plans by individuals and groups to embark on campaigns against the DSS and the Federal Government over the suspension and investigation of Emefiele.
The statement added, “The DSS has identified persons and groups planning to stage campaigns of calumny against it and the government over the suspension and investigation of Mr Godwin Emefiele.
“Such groups intend to gather at different points in Abuja and Lagos in the coming week with placards depicting the service and government in a bad light as well as calling for the immediate release of Emefiele.
“The service is, therefore, aware of cheap propaganda aimed at de-motivating and distracting it from professionally executing the onerous responsibilities assigned to it.”
Afunanya added that the DSS was also aware of plans to infiltrate the service in order to use disloyal staff for “subversive aims” against its leadership.
He said, “It is mindful of orchestrations to infiltrate its fold for the purpose of using disloyal staff for subversive aims against its leadership.”
Afunanya warned those behind these activities to desist forthwith from their plans, adding, “The arrowheads are already under watch and will be apprehended when and if it becomes necessary.”