FEATURED
DSS Arrest, Grill NIRSAL CEO, Abbas Masanawa For Allegedly Looting Treasury With Emefiele
Abbas Masanawa, the chief executive officer of Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL, has been reportedly arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Masanawa, was picked up and currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) after he was sacked.
It was gathered that the removal of Masanawa may not be unconnected with his alleged role in the ongoing corruption probe of suspended CBN chief, Godwin Emefiele.
Insiders told our correspondent that Mr Masanawa was arrested four weeks ago on his return to Nigeria from Hajj; and has remained there while their investigation continued.
According to an exclusive report in THE WITNESS, Masanawa, is facing interrogations over his role in the Emefiele’s alleged loot.
Mr Masanawa’s arrest stemmed from his role as the managing director of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC). He resigned from NSPMC in 2022.
The NSPMC is a subsidiary of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) responsible for printing and minting the nation’s currency notes, coins and high-level security documents.
Mr Emefiele was fired as CBN governor on June 9 and was arrested the next day by the DSS.
Dr. Peter Afunanya, spokesperson for the DSS, in his reaction to the development simply said in a message to THE WITNESS on Friday that ‘No comments’.
Mr Masanawa served as special adviser to Mr Emefiele and steadily moved up the rung to become the executive director at the NSPMC.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as the organisation’s managing director in September 2018.
In May 2022, Mr Mansanawa declared his intention to contest the governorship election in Katsina without stepping down from office. He promptly resigned from his position.
After he failed to clinch the ticket, Mr Emefiele appointed him as the new head of NIRSAL, following the removal of the agency’s former boss Aliyu Abdulhameed.
Recall, that the Federal Government will on August 23, 2023 arraign Emefiele and his associates for an alleged N6.9 billion procurement fraud at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
Emefiele will be arraigned alongside a female CBN employee, Sa’adatu Yaro and her company, April1616 Investment Limited on 20 charges of procurement fraud, conspiracy and conferring corrupt advantages on his associates
IGP Launches ‘Operation Kosaye’ to Crush Kidnappers, Clear Lagos-Ogun Forests
Akpabio Hails Tinubu’s Reforms, Says Nigeria Already Changing Under His Leadership
COAS Appoints 2 GOCs, Reshuffles Others to Enhance Nigeria’s Military Effectiveness
Police Dismiss Report Linking Pastor to Orire Kidnap, Warn Against Fake News
Tension Rises as MACBAN Chairman Shot Dead After Benue Peace Meeting
Court Ruling on NDC Opens Fresh Legal Battle Ahead of 2027
NDC: PDP Reacts to Lokoja’s Ruling, Says Tinubu’s APC Has Disdain for Fair Political Competition
Peter Obi Warns of Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy, Condemns Lokoja Court Ruling,
Alleged $4.5bn Fraud: Court Reserves Ruling on Admissibility of Emefiele’s Alleged Extra-judicial Statements Till July 9
NDC Rejects Court Ruling, Heads to Appeal, Insists Party Remains Registered
Court Makes U-TURN on NDC Registration, Directs INEC to Delist Party
Court Voids INEC Registration of NDC Over Disputed Party Logo
Obi Backs State Police, Warns Against Political Abuse, Seeks Delay Until After 2027 Polls
Police Won’t Recruit Repentant Criminals, Terrorists — DIG Isyaku Warns
