Nigeria’s Central bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele is not in Nigeria and has been quietly declared wanted by State Security Services over terrorism financing allegations.
This was disclosed by Femi Falana SAN, Human Rights Activist, in an interview with Channels Television on Sunday night.
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to step in and ensure order, citing that Nigeria needs to act maturely as so much is expected of us as Africa’s largest nation.
Terrorism financing: Falana stated that Mr Emefiele has been quietly declared wanted over terrorism financing.
- “I can say without any fear that Mr Godwin Emefiele is not in Nigeria, but he has been quietly declared wanted by state Security Services.”
- “This can only happen in a Banana republic where the CBN Governor would be accused of a grave offence, which is terrorism financing”.
Not the first time: He revealed that the former CBN Governor, Lamido Sanusi was also accused of terrorism financing in 2014, a case in which he won and was granted N50 million in reparations.
- “The details are not outlined and these guys play on our collective intelligence because they know we are forgetful. In 2014, his predecessor, former Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi was equally accused of terrorism financing when he was attending a meeting with Governors of African Central banks,
- “When landed in Lagos he was arrested, he challenged the FG in a High court, which was later discovered that he was being investigated, for ” terrorism financing”, he won the case, and the allegation of Terrorism financing was dismissed and awarded N50 million reparations.”
- “You can’t have such serious allegations against the governor of a central bank and on their removal that nothing has happened” he warned.
Banana republic: Falana also urged that so much is expected of Nigeria as the most populous Black nation on earth, urging for maturity from everyone involved.
- “There is no country in the world where a Central Bank Governor would be sent packing so ingloriously, chased out of the country
- “Has the FG considered the enormous implications and effect of a wanted governor of the CBN on the economy.?
- “That is why the court struck out the case, if you have evidence he has committed the offence, you do not need a court order to arrest him.
- “ I expect the DSS to come out with allegations, and if Emefiele won’t return to the country, file a charge at the Federal high court, but a government must not engage in cheap blackmail,
- “ I am flabbergasted that the President has not intervened, and called the state security services to order and also order Emefiele to return to the country, we can’t go on like this as if we are operating in a banana republic, it is embarrassing, we must be serious, so much is expected of us.
He added that no court in Nigeria has the power, to confer immunity on any citizen, adding that if you are not one of the 74 people that has immunity in Nigeria, that is the President, vice president, governors and deputy governors, no other person can enjoy immunity.
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Economists say the absence of the CBN governor from his official duties during a transition time like this does not augur well for the economy. This is especially so as palpable hitches pertaining to the availability of new naira notes are surfacing.
Dr. Dan Atuma, an economist, and social affairs analyst told Nairametrics that Emefiele’s absence robs the cashless transition exercise of public confidence. It may send a wrong signal to the foreign investment community, he said.
Patrick Duma, another economist said in times like this the CBN governor is supposed to be giving the Nigerian public daily briefings of how well the process is progressing, with barely three weeks to conclude it. He said the process needs a face, and Emefiele is that face that is supposed to be assuring Nigerians of the transition process.
