Nigerians have generally reacted with happiness and relief following the suspension and arrest of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele on Friday, June 9, 2023.
A statement confirming Emefiele’s suspension stated that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the Central Bank Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele, CFR, from office with immediate effect.
“Mr Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms.”
Just after reports of his suspension filtered in, news of his arrest by the Department of State Services DSS) also emerged.
The Quest Times reports that the DSS had earlier made attempts to arrest Emefiele, but were restrained by a Court that dismissed the agency’s application in December 2022 to arrest the CBN governor over alleged acts of financing terrorism, fraudulent activities, and economic crimes of national security dimension.
Following news of his suspension and arrest, Nigerians trooped to social media to react to the development. Most were excited about the news, as they blamed Emefiele for a plethora of issues, ranging from the rapid increase in naira/dollar exchange rate to cash scarcity caused by the hasty implementation of the Naira redesign policy which caused untold hardship for Nigerians.
While others questioned why he was ordered to handover to the Deputy Governor (Operations) Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, while there were two other senior Deputy Governors.
Here are some of the reactions gathered by The Quest Times
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@Morris_Monye Very sad for Emefiele. No one likes him. APC don’t like him, Agbado don’t like him, Youths don’t like him, Obidients can’t be bothered about him, his Agbor people say he didn’t help them. No one cares. He isolated himself. They will deal with him thoroughly.
@ShehuSani Emefiele, the anchor borrower has finally anchored.
@Waspapping_ CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele reportedly arrested by DSS. This is good news if true. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing everything right at this point of his presidency, it’s almost impossible not to be filled with hope even for someone that voted Atiku Abubakar
How can the entire country be united in joy because of your imminent (in Jesus name) downfall? Emefiele see your life outside
— Jola (@Jollz) June 9, 2023
@RealOlaudah The Godwin Emefiele sack was long overdue. The man will go on record as the most corrupt @cenbank governor in Nigeria’s history.
@General_Oluchi For daring to change the Naira notes during Tinubu’s campaign, Emefiele will be the scapegoat. I don’t think his arrest has anything to do with mismanagement of the CBN.
@adeyanjudeji While I commend President Bola Tinubu for suspending Emefiele, I am highly disappointed that he has appointed Shonubi, a mechanical engineer as Acting Governor of the Apex bank. Kenya just appointed an Economist with PhD. as it’s CBN Gov. And we wonder why youths are doing JAPA.
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Godwin Emefiele is now a reject. No god will accept him. He dealt with Agbado during the Naira Redesign. He destroyed the Naira, & waged war against the youths (when he banned Crypto) & blocked the bank accounts of EndSARS peaceful protesters. Meffy is now an orphan, an outcast.
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) June 9, 2023
@Letter_to_Jack Tinubu suspended Emefiele at close of work today, Friday, knowing that the following Monday is a public Holiday so lawyers can’t file ex-parte motions in that time. Technicalities ngbe Technicalities mi
@dondekojo This is why we should have immediate Press conferences because journalists should be able to ask why Emefiele isn’t handing over to the most senior Deputy Governor, but a Junior one. Edward Adamu and Aisha Ahmed are Shonubi’s seniors.
@_AsiwajuLerry If curse no catch anybody, e suppose catch Godwin Emefiele. That man made both the young and old cry inside banks day and night. Meffy you must crumble.
DSS reportedly arresting Godwin Emefiele while the EFCC is yet to arrest Hadi Sirika goes to show how selective justice is being practiced in Nigeria; Sirika should be arrested by now over corruption allegations, but the EFCC seems to be turning a blind eye. It’s truly shameful.
— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) June 9, 2023
@is_salsu Godwin Emefiele met the naira to dollar at 180, he leaves it at over 700 in black market. I hope the room they put him tonight has enough mosquitoes.