May 11, (THEWILL) – A Non-Governmental Organisation, Rethink African Foundation, has urged a Federal High court in Abuja to declare Godwin Emefiele unfit to continue as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In the originating motion filed on May 9, 2022 and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/625/2022, the plaintiffs (Rethink Africa Foundation and a businessman, Moses Atunba), prayed an order of the court to declare Emefele’s continued stay in office as against the nation’s extant law.
They further prayed the court to direct President Mahammadu Buhari to sack Emefele for breach of the CBN Act, the Public Service Rules and Extant laws.
The claimant also sought “the declaration of this Honourable Court that Mr Godwin Emefiele is no longer fit and proper to continue in office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by his association with partisan political interest
“A declaration of this Honourable Court that the incumbent Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Mr. Godwin Emefiele who has been openly canvassed and paraded as a contestant for a partisan political office is by this action robbed of public confidence as to his impartiality in discharging the function of his office with respect to currency dealing, monetary policies, financial intermediation to banks and consumers , business enterprises, and the general public.
“A declaration of this Honourable Court that by engaging in partisan politics either by himself or through proxies, friends , or associates by any name called to the extent of appearing in APC campaign posters, billboards and campaign vehicles, the incumbent can no longer impartially continue to act in a professional manner as adviser to the Government of Nigeria on financial and monetary policies, and as regulator of the financial sector of Nigeria
“A declaration of this Honourable Court that by the community reading and interpretation of Section 9 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act and Section 66 (1), 107 (f), 137 (1) (g) 142 (2), 182 and 187(2) of the 1999 Constitution a sitting CBN Governor is precluded from partisan political interests whilst still in office.”
The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Governing Board of the CBN, Mr Godwin Emefele, the Attorney General of Federation are the 1st to the 4th defendants.
The claimants then sought the order of the court mandating the 1st defendant (President) to immediately sack Mr Emefiele from office to protect the independence of the CBN, adding that Emefele’s association with partisan political parties robs the CBN of the independence granted by extant Laws.
They told the court that their application was brought in the interest of the public, economic management and prosperity of every Nigerian and that, it is important to grant the reliefs being sought, for the sake of justice, equity and to protect the sanctity of Nigerian laws, and Constitution of the country.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit as it is yet to be assigned to a judge.
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