Falana says Emefiele not in Nigeria, secretly declared wanted by SSS
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Femi Falana SAN, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the “embarrassing” disappearance of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele, whom he said has been secretly declared wanted by State Security Services (SSS).
Falana, a human rights fighter, disclosed the SSS (also known as Department of State Security, DSS) stealthily declared Emefiele wanted over terrorism financing allegations and urged Buhari to step in and ensure order.
He warned Nigeria needs to act maturely as so much is expected of it as Africa’s most populous nation.
“I can say without any fear that Mr Godwin Emefiele is not in Nigeria, but he has been quietly declared wanted by state Security Services,” Falana said on Channels Television on Sunday.
“This can only happen in a Banana republic where the CBN Governor would be accused of a grave offence, which is terrorism financing.”
He recounted how former CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi was also accused of terrorism financing in 2014, a case he won in court.
“The details are not outlined and these guys play on our collective intelligence because they know we are forgetful.
“In 2014, his predecessor, former Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi, was equally accused of terrorism financing when he was attending a meeting with Governors of African Central banks,
“When he landed in Lagos he was arrested. He challenged the FG in a high court, and it was later discovered that he was being investigated for terrorism financing. He won the case, and the allegation of terrorism financing was dismissed and awarded N50 million reparations.
“You can’t have such serious allegations against the governor of a central bank and on their removal that nothing has happened.”
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Poor leadership embarrassing Nigeria in the eyes of the world
Falana argued so much is expected of Nigeria as the most populous black nation on earth, urging maturity from everyone involved, per reporting by Nairametrics.
“There is no country in the world where a Central Bank Governor would be sent packing so ingloriously, chased out of the country
“Has the FG considered the enormous implications and effect of a wanted governor of the CBN on the economy?
“That is why the court struck out the case; if you have evidence he has committed the offence, you do not need a court order to arrest him.
“I expect the DSS to come out with allegations, and if Emefiele won’t return to the country, file a charge at the Federal High Court, but a government must not engage in cheap blackmail.
“I am flabbergasted that the President has not intervened, and called the State Security Services to order and also order Emefiele to return to the country.
“We can’t go on like this as if we are operating in a banana republic, it is embarrassing, we must be serious, so much is expected of us.
Only 74 people have constitutional immunity in Nigeria – the President, Vice President, Governors, and Deputy Governors – and no court in the land has the power to confer immunity on any citizen, Falana insisted.
Other implications of Emefiele’s absence
Emefiele’s absence from his official duties during a transition like this does not augur well for the economy, especially with the hitches in the availability of new naira notes.
Dan Atuma, an economist and social affairs analyst, told Nairametrics Emefiele’s absence robs the cashless transition exercise of public confidence and may send a wrong signal to the foreign investors.
Patrick Duma, another economist, argued Emefiele is supposed to be giving the public daily briefings of how well the process is progressing, with three weeks to conclude it.
He said the process needs a face, and Emefiele is that face who is supposed assure Nigerians.
