How DSS Leaked Memo Reveals Watchlist Status For Emefiele’s Wife And Joy Omoile, Orders Arrest At Airports

How DSS Leaked Memo Reveals Watchlist Status For Emefiele’s Wife And Joy Omoile, Orders Arrest At Airports

The Department of State Services (DSS) has issued instructions for airport security and immigration authorities to apprehend and detain Emefiele Margaret Dumbiri, the wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele, if she is encountered at Terminal Area Check (TAC) points. The security memo specifies that her passport number is A04509575…….CONTINUE READING 

Additionally, the DSS has directed the arrest and detention of Omoile Anita Joy, who holds passport number 550458804, if she is found at any airport or TAC points. Both individuals are to be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further action.

The memo, dated February 5, 2024, and signed by Adeola D. Ali for the National Headquarters of the Secret Service (NHSS), instructs that the suspects be transferred to the EFCC detective handling the case, providing contact numbers for coordination. The memo states: “DSE: 9A/5566 X WATCHLIST ACTION X EYE AM DIRECTED TO INFO YOURS THAT X THE DGSS HAS APPROVED WLA’H’ (CRIME SUSPECT) X VIDE DSE.9A/5565 AGAINST X ALPHA X OMOILE ANITA JOY X PPT NO: 550458804 X BRAVO X EMEFIELE MARGARET DUMBIRI X PPT NO: A04509575 X ON INTERCEPTION X SUBJECTS SHOULD BE HANDED OVER TO THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION (EFCC) DETECTIVE IN CHARGE OF THE CASE X WITH THESE PHONE NUMBERS: 08064456417/ 08039287792/ 08036764727 X WHILE REFERRING TO CR/3000/EFCC/HQ/ABJ/SOT/VOL.1 DATED 29/01/2024 X THIS IS FOR YOUR STRICT COMPLIANCE X PLEASE.”

In February 2024, the EFCC declared Margaret Emefiele and three others wanted for allegedly conspiring with the former CBN governor to misappropriate public funds. The EFCC’s wanted list included Eric Ocheme Odoh, Anita Joy Omoile (CEO of Deepblue Energy Ltd & Lipan Investment Services Ltd), and Jonathan Omoile (CEO of Exact Quote BDC Ltd).

In May 2024, the EFCC secured an interim forfeiture order for funds totaling $4,719,054 and N830,875,611, as well as several properties allegedly linked to Emefiele. This order was granted by Justice Yellim Bogoro, following a successful application by EFCC’s counsel Bilkisu Buhari. It followed a previous order by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos, which had been vacated ten days prior.

The EFCC’s investigation revealed that the disputed funds were held in First Bank, Titan Bank, and Zenith Bank, and were managed by Omoile Anita Joy and associated companies.

However, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled on July 1, 2024, that the EFCC’s declaration of Margaret Emefiele as a wanted person was unlawful. Mrs. Emefiele had sued the EFCC and its chairman, arguing that the public listing of her name and photograph without a valid court order violated her fundamental rights. The court agreed, ordering the EFCC to remove her details from its website, issue a public apology, and pay N3 million in damages for the rights infringement.