The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly released Dr. Kingsley Obiora, the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of Economic Policy, from detention. According to information from The Nation, a source close to Obiora revealed that he was released from DSS custody on Saturday afternoon, September 2, 2023. However, the source claimed to have no knowledge of the specific details of what transpired between Obiora and the DSS during his time in detention.

The news of Obiora's release was met with relief among the staff of the apex bank, many of whom had been concerned about the possibility of being singled out or targeted. It appears that the release of the Deputy Governor is part of an ongoing investigation into the activities of the CBN during the tenure of its former Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The Special Investigations Panel, led by Jim Obazee and appointed by President Tinubu in response to allegations of financial misconduct against Emefiele in late July, has been actively conducting inquiries within the CBN. This panel has been seeking information and documents from various departments within the CBN to shed light on the events that occurred during Emefiele's leadership.

As part of their investigative efforts, the panel has not only questioned Deputy Governors like Obiora but also other senior officials of the CBN. Additionally, the panel has extended its reach to external entities, such as the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc) and the NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB). These organizations have been requested to provide necessary documents as part of the ongoing audit.

It's worth noting that NMFB has been actively working on recovering the COVID-19 Targeted Credit Facility (TCF) that was disbursed to indigent households, indicating the broader financial landscape under scrutiny.

In summary, the release of Deputy Governor Kingsley Obiora from DSS detention is part of an ongoing investigation into the CBN's activities during the tenure of the former Governor. The Special Investigations Panel, led by Jim Obazee, has been diligently pursuing documents and information to uncover the truth behind various financial matters within the CBN.