Northern Group Insists CBN Governor Emefiele Must Be Investigated; Urges DSS To Appeal Against Judgement

By Ayodele Oni

A northern Group has insisted that the Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, must be arrested despite a court injunction which has given him a respite.

The Concerned Northern Forum,(CNF) impressed it on the Director- General of Department of State Security Services, (DSS) Mallam Yusuf Magaji Bichi to ignore and immediately appeal against the Federal high court injunction and go ahead with the planned arrest of Mr Emefiele.

The Group maintained that his arrest is in the interest of National security.

Addressing a World Press Conference in Kaduna the Spokesperson of the for the Group, Abdulsalam Mohammed Kazeem, declared that “National security is a serious issue, we can’t afford a relapse of insecurity in this country because of mindless distractions.

“Unraveling the role the CBN under Emefiele is playing in sponsoring terrorism will put paid to the endless and mindless killings and attacks all over the country.

“As patriots, who wish to always stand on the path of righteousness, we won’t take sides with those calling for the sack of the DSS boss but rather ask that he should be allowed to carry out his duties without interference by anybody especially, when it comes to the issue of national security and the general well being of Nigerians.

“Those asking the DG to give details of Emefiele’s underhand dealings should know that security is a tactical issue and evidence can’t be made public so that criminals won’t be alerted and made to destroy evidence.

”Mr Godwin Emefiele, should as a matter of urgency, be relieved of his duties as the Governor of the apex bank (CBN), as his character and integrity is already questioned.

“He should be investigated accordingly and with immediate effect.His involvement into partisan politics and the spurious investments he has made even in some Nigerian banks make him unfit to continue as CBN Governor as this contravenes the CBN Act and other extant laws.

“He should be made to face the charges leveled against him in a competent court of law.

“The allegations by Hon. Mohammed Gudaji Kazaure concerning the misappropriation and diversion of stamp duty funds as well as other financial crimes require in depth investigation.

“Financial crimes including diversion of public funds as alleged run afoul of President Buhari’s anti-corruption posture and must not be tolerated by his appointee no matter how highly placed.

“Emefiele can’t be sitting as a CBN Governor while these investigation continue. He needs to step aside to prevent any form of interference and undue influence.

“It is our position that the CBN Governor should turn himself in to the DSS for questioning, possible arrest and detention. Failure to do so should be met by a forceful arrest and detention in one of Nigeria’s maximum security prison facility.

“He should forthwith, stop sponsoring faceless goons against the person of the DG of DSS and the Service in general. The endless media wars and attacks can only elongate his doomsday, but will definitely not save from standing trial and answering to the weighty allegations against him.

“We want to call on the DG to ignore the enemies of Nigeria and focus on the duties given to him by the constitution and President Mohammadu Buhari.”