Paschal Emeka, Abuja
A coalition of Civil Society Organisations has raised alarm alleging that there are plots to frame the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Godwin Emefiele by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, the coalition under the auspices of Coalition of National Interest Defenders, comprising human rights lawyers, chairmen of political parties, civil society groups, Arewa Youth Consultative Movement, and ethnic leaders, said the allegation was weighty and too sensitive to be swept under the carpet.
Convener of the Coalition, Tochukwu Ohazuruike stated that the security agency filed a motion in court accusing the CBN Governor of terrorism financing and other crimes it described as economic crimes against national security.
The coalition asked if the apex bank Governor who served over seven years in office could get involved in such issues, and demanded that the Director General of the DSS be sacked immediately.
The group alleged that the DSS failed to inform President Muhammadu Buhari, even as Emefiele was allowed to travel out with the President on official assignments, wondering why a terrorism financier will be allowed to go close to the President.
They said: “We are challenging the authenticity of the DSS claims and if it is true, why was Emefiele allowed to go close to the President and even travel out with him?
“It showed the DG, DSS did not believe Emefiele was indeed a terrorist and this, therefore, means that the claims of the DSS in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022 between Department of State Service and Godwin Emefiele were made with the sole purpose of forcefully and wrongfully removing the CBN Governor from office.”
The group demanded the immediate investigation of the DSS boss, Yusuf Magaji Bichi with approved sanction if found wanting.
The press conference on Monday witnessed a mammoth crowd of supporters with placards calling for the investigation of the claims.