Amidst Fraudulent Acquisition Of Shares In Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank – CBN Deputy Governor Aisha Ahmad Denies Arrest

Sources close to the Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Aisha Ahmad have denied insinuations in some quarters that she is under arrest.

In light of the ongoing investigation  into the activities of the Godwin Emefiele led  Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as instructed by President Bola Tinubu,  all senior officials of the Central bank have been interrogated by the DSS and the appointed special investigator.

The Deputy governors are not exempt from this exercise and have all been called upon to provide essential information at different points in time. It is important to emphasize that this is standard procedure aimed at assisting 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.”

It is essential to maintain clarity and rely on verified information only. Mrs. Ahmad’s cooperation with the authorities is a demonstration of her commitment to transparency and due process. It is crucial that the public exercise discretion when evaluating news reports and avoid engaging with unfounded rumors or misinformation.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plays a vital role in the nation’s economic stability, and it is imperative that the investigative process is allowed to run its course.

Omonaijablog had reported that the Department of State Services, DSS allegedly arrested and detained the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in charge of Financial System Stability, Aisha Ahmad.

This online news platform understands that Aisha Ahmad according to NTA on its X, formerly Twitter handle, was allegedly detained for fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank.

The CBN Deputy Governor is currently being interrogated on how the $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by Titan Bank.

CBN Deputy Governor Aisha Ahmad Arrested

“The CBN Deputy Governor is currently being interrogated on how $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by Titan Bank,” NTA reported on its X handle.

Meanwhile, Newsone Nigeria recalls that Aisha Ahmad was appointed Deputy CBN governor on 6 October 2017, replacing Sarah Alade, who retired in March 2017. She was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 22 March 2018.

In December 2022, the Peoples Gazette claimed that Ahmad helped facilitate the sale of Polaris Bank at a favorable price in order to be considered for the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The CBN denied these allegations and asserted that the sale of Polaris Bank was an institutional decision supervised by a committee of senior representatives of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the CBN.

Newsone Nigeria understands that the divestment was also coordinated with outside legal and financial advisers and approved by the leadership and boards of Polaris Bank and the purchaser, Strategic Capital Investment Limited.

The CBN stated at the time that no other party made a higher purchase offer as alleged by the Peoples Gazette in its report.