Aisha Ahmad, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of Financial System Stability (FSS) has been arrested by the State Security Service (SSS).
Details of the arrest are still sketchy. but Ahmad was reportedly arrested over her “alleged fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank.”
She is currently being interrogated on how $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by Titan Bank, reports say.
Neither the Central Bank nor the SSS has spoken officially about the arrest, which is now one of those since the Jim Obazee-led special panel began investigating the CBN as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
Read also DSS releases Kingsley Obiora, CBN deputy governor
President Tinubu, in late July, appointed the special panel to investigate the apex bank following the arrest and prosecution of suspended CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, CBN, over alleged financial infractions.
BusinessDay understands that the Secret Service has since been questioning the deputy governors of the CBN and other senior officials of the bank as part of the ongoing audit.
The deputy governors are not exempt from this exercise and have all been called upon to provide essential information at different times. It is important to emphasize that this is standard procedure to assist the ongoing probe.
In a phone conversation with a close family member of the deputy governor FSS who is not authorised to speak on this matter, it was confirmed and clarified that the Deputy Governor is safe and sound. “I wish to reassure everyone that Aishah Ahmad is home with her family and not detained by the DSS. She is safe and sound.”
In these times, it is essential to maintain clarity and rely on verified information only. Mrs. Ahmad’s cooperation with the authorities demonstrates her commitment to transparency and due process. It is crucial that the public exercise discretion when evaluating news reports and avoid engaging in unfounded rumours or misinformation.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plays a vital role in the nation’s economic stability, and the investigative process must be allowed to run its course.
Emefiele has been in the DSS custody since June 10, 2023, a day after President Tinubu removed him from office.
