DSS debunks arresting CBN officials amid rumours of Aishah Ahmad’s detention

The Department of State Security (DSS) has refuted reports that it arrested any former or present official of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

DSS made the statement in a post on its X handle on Thursday.

Some viral reports on social media had claimed that Aishah Ahmad, former CBN deputy governor in charge of financial system stability, had been arrested.

It said Ahmad has been detained by DSS over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank, including how the sum of $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by Titan Bank.

Addressing the claim, DSS said in the last 48 hours, it did not “arrest any former or present official of the CBN”.

In September 2023, deputy governors — Ahmad, Folashodun Shonubi, Edward Lametek Adamu, and Kingsley Obiora — who worked with Godwin Emefiele, former CBN chief, all resigned.

President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele in June, directing him to transfer his responsibilities to Shonubi, former deputy governor, operations directorate.

DSS later announced that Emefiele is in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.

Tinubu nominated Yemi Cardoso to takeover from Shonubi as the governor of the apex bank in September last year.

He also nominated four new deputy governors namely; Emem Nnana Usoro, Muhammad Sani Abdullahi Dattijo, Phillip Ikeazor and Bala M. Bello.