The former Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki, the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organizations (CNCSOS) have given the Federal Government the task of conducting an in-depth investigation into alleged plans by the Department of State Service (DSS) to portray Governor Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a terrorism financier.
In advance of the elections in 2023, Saraki issued a statement in which he advised the nation’s security agencies to exercise caution and avoid being manipulated by politicians.
The Centre for Financial Surveillance and Illicit Transaction Tracking Group (CSITT) has also expressed concern regarding the potential repercussions of Egmont Group’s sanctions due to the DSS’s unprovoked attack on the governor of the top bank.
“Egmont Group, a 164 countries membership forum that provides financial units with a platform to securely exchange expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering and terrorist financing among other things, would have suspended Nigeria if DSS had arrested Emefiele,” the Director of the CSITT stated in a statement to the organization.
Dimu said that because of the DSS allegations, Nigeria runs the risk of being blacklisted by global financial institutions. He also said that if Nigeria is suspended from the group, it would be embarrassing because the country was suspended in 2017 for not having a legal framework or autonomy.
“It is not only a huge shame but also against the ethics of the Egmont group, of which Nigeria is a member, to make the claim that the SSS was involved in this plot to remove the Governor of the CBN for political and financial reasons. Review that the gathering had suspended NFIU, an arm of the Monetary and Monetary Violations Commission, after its whole in Macao, China, on July 2, 2017. Nigeria was placed on administrative hold by the group due to its lack of autonomy and legal framework. The discovery that DSS was involved in this illegal act is shocking. Instead of serving as political pawns, we recommend that DSS concentrate on fulfilling its mandate.
At a joint press conference held in Abuja by Chief Willy Ezugwu, CNPP secretary general and national convener, and Alhaji Ali Abacha, CNCSOs national secretary, the CNPP and CSOs stated that the international community would be reassured by a thorough investigation into the matter.
This came as CSOs under the sponsorship of Alliance of Common Society Gathering and Youth Alliance, CCSGYG, drove by Bassey Williams (President) and Abubakar Ibrahim (Secretary), yesterday, fought in Abuja, and cautioned the DSS against exaggerate charges against Emefiele, demanding that he isn’t a fear monger.
In the meantime, the House of Representatives decided yesterday to put Mrs. Aisha Ahmed, the CBN Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability, in place of Emefiele so that she could inform lawmakers about the latest monetary policies of the top bank, particularly the weekly cash withdrawal limit of N100,000 for individuals.
Ezugwu and Abacha urged President Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to immediately begin the processes of thoroughly investigating the circumstances “surrounding this national and international embarrassment.” CNPP, CNCSOs speak Briefing newsmen
Keep in mind that civil rights organizations and human rights lawyers working under the Coalition of National Interest Defenders had raised the alarm that the DSS was planning to frame the CBN Governor, claiming that they had tangible proof to back up their claims against the DSS.
Ezugwu and Abacha went on to say: When members of the group revealed that the DSS had even approached the court to obtain a warrant to arrest Godwin Emefiele without the consent or knowledge of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the gravity of the situation that Nigeria was facing became clear.
“We have all praised the CBN’s cashless policy to such an extent that even corrupt politicians who oppose cash withdrawal limits acknowledge that this is the right course of action but that the timing was inappropriate. Additionally, they sought exemptions from election spending. What is the purpose of seeking waivers? They want to buy our votes with our stolen commonwealth.
“We are afraid that the DSS is deviating from its statutory role and becoming a tool in the hands of desperate politicians in light of the recent revelation. This presents a threat to the nation and must be discouraged at all costs.
“Those who have been protesting the CBN’s cashless policy are those who want to receive and spend money without leaving any trace.
“Why are you afraid to wire the money through bank transfers if you have legitimate funds? Why are you afraid of limits on cash withdrawals? The amount you can transfer through the bank is unlimited, but Godwin Emefiele’s sin is that they do not want to make transactions that can be traced because they have our stolen money.
Because of this, they want him out of the way before the election so that they can appoint someone who can rescind the cashless policy.
“We must note that President Buhari has shown maximum support for the CBN Governor’s efforts to promote economic stability and reform, which was probably the reason they wanted to remove him from office without Mr. President’s consent,” the statement reads.
“We are appreciative of the Nigerian judiciary’s refusal to be utilized in the planned heist. It is lamentable yet it worked out. According to reports, the DSS’s affidavit in support of its application claimed that, despite the absence of evidence, a preliminary investigation had revealed Godwin Emefiele’s involvement in economic crimes with a national security dimension and various acts of terrorism financing as well as fraudulent activities.
“And, in view of a reasonable suspicion that some politicians may have influenced the DSS in the planned arrest of Emefiele, we join well-meaning Nigerians and groups in calling on President Buhari and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, to immediately put in motion the processes of suspending and thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding this national and international embarrassment,” the statement reads. “And, in view of a reasonable suspicion that some politicians may have influenced the
In a similar vein, the CCSGYG warned the DSS not to harm Emefiele during a protest in Abuja. They claimed that some politicians were to blame for the CBN governor’s problems because the recent CBN reforms would expose their corrupt activities.
In a similar vein, they voiced their displeasure with politicians’ use of a noble organization like the DSS to cover up alleged unfounded charges against Emefiele, who, according to them, has done a good job of keeping the economy afloat by revamping various economic sectors.
Lord Hannan, the Baron of Kingsclere, a member of the Board of Trade and Conservative peer, who raised a question in the House of Lords on Wednesday, said: “Friends of Nigerian democracy should defend rule of law.” In response to the alleged actions against Emefiele, Lord Hannan said: ” The independence of public officials, due process, and the rule of law: These principles matter. They link the Commonwealth nations together.
I’m not from Nigeria. It is not my responsibility to determine whether a redesign of the Nigerian naira notes was necessary or whether such a change would make elections cleaner. However, I believe that supporters of Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law should protect it.
We all have a stake in Nigeria’s success at a time when democracy is declining worldwide. The nation is Africa’s greatest population, greatest hope, and greatest economy.
“For this reason, I have brought up the attempt to detain Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in Parliament. In light of this, I hope that democrats from all sides will join Nigeria in supporting the independence of its institutions, including the central bank, ahead of the 2023 election.
In a statement released by his Media Office in Abuja, Saraki stated that the circumstances surrounding the DSS’s action against Emefiel required additional clarification in order to avoid confusion and a false impression of the motivation.
He said the following, urging security agencies to distance themselves from the plot: As someone who was falsely accused of being involved in the Offa robbery by political opportunists and manipulators before their evil plans began to unravel in the legal system, I believe that those who are determined to sabotage the elections in 2023 are weaving a similar web because the obvious outcome is not going their way.
“My position is not to support Emefiele but to support democracy that is being targeted by the plotters in this court case in which the CBN governor is being accused of terrorism through a suit that the Federal High Court has now described as frivolous and without concrete evidence.
“I still found it very difficult to understand what led to the charges, why concrete evidence that will enable the court to take a good decision was not provided, and why the Department gave room for suspicion and speculations as the case file has gaping holes,” Judge John Tsoho noted. “With all the respect that I have for the DSS, as a very professional security agency, I still found it very difficult to understand what led to the charges.
Reps accept CBN dep gov for cash limit briefing In the meantime, the House of Representatives accepted Mrs. Aisha Ahmed to brief lawmakers on the CBN governor’s most recent monetary policies, particularly the cash withdrawal limit.
On Tuesday, Emefiele informed the House that summoned him last week that he was out of the country for official duties.
The communication necessitated inviting the governor once more to appear before the House on Thursday, either in person or through a proxy.
However, Emefiele informed the House at yesterday’s plenary that he was still abroad and that he would delegate Mrs. Ahmed to lead a governors’ committee to the briefing due to health issues.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila pleaded with his colleagues to allow Emefiele’s representative to brief the House tomorrow after reading the letter.
However, there was a split in the House, with some members supporting Gbajabiamila’s position and others suggesting that the representative should inform the House Committee on Banking and Currency rather than the entire House.
Gbajabiamila made a decision on the matter, stating that the representative would give the House a presentation on Thursday at 10 a.m.
I don’t believe there is a question that needs to be asked. As a result, Gbajabiamila stated, “We will expect the team, the committee of governors led by Mrs. Aisha Ahmed, deputy governor, Financial System Stability, to brief the House on the new cash policy as prescribed by the CBN act tomorrow at 10 am.”