January 12, (THEWILL) – The South-South Buhari Support Group (SSBSG) and the global body for all practising lawyers in Africa, African Bar Association (AFBA) have warned of severe consequences if the coordinated plot, attack and smear campaigns against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele Emefiele, continue.
Specifically, the SSBSG in a statement signed by its Coordinator, John Israel, condemned the plot by the Department of State Service (DSS) to frame Emefiele with terrorism financing.
Noting how the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, and several other top public office holders from the Southern regions were scandalously removed from office, the Group cautioned security agencies to ensure their duties were carried out dispassionately and professionally.
“Despite recent court ruling, we heard they want to, yet again, come up with plan to fabricate another allegation to help them arrest the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, and force him to resign.
“This made this warning necessary, as we approach the 2023 general election.
“What is the evidence that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is involved in terrorism financing?
“If the allegations against the CBN Governor are genuine, why didn’t the DSS present its findings to the President for consideration and necessary action?
“It is common knowledge that Emefiele has been carrying out Mr. President’s directives and instructions religiously.
“The CBN Governor has been doing everything to salvage the national economy, with several intervention schemes in agriculture and the small and medium enterprises, among others,” the statement read in part.
In recognition of his effective implementation of the monetary policies of Buhari’s administration, the group further passed a vote of confidence in Emefiele as CBN Governor.
On its part, the AFBA warned the DSS or any other security agency to desist from their planned arrest of Emefiele.
The association, in the statement signed by its Chairman on the Human and constitutional Rights Committee, Sonnie Ekwowusi, said arresting the apex bank’s boss could lead to anarchy and possibly derail the 2023 general elections.
Ekwowusi said the Court barred the DSS or any other security agency from arresting or inviting the CBN Governor over the alleged fabricated charges of terrorism and economic crimes.
“We the international lawyers insist that rule of law must be followed, and in the case of the CBN Governor and DSS, the status quo must be maintained until all the legal processes are fully exhausted,” he said, while charging the DSS to comply fully with the decision of the Federal High Court.
The AFBA said the reported move by the DSS to arrest Emefiele despite a court decision restraining them was beginning to send wrong signals abroad about Nigeria.
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