Alleged Terrorism Financing: Court Gives Verdict on DSS' Move to Arrest CBN Governor Emefiele
- The alleged move by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and detain CBN governor Godwin Emefiele has hit a legal brick wall
- A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja allegedly declined the application filed by the secret police to get Emefiele remanded
- The presiding judge, Justice JT Tsoho, reportedly said the DSS did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing
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FCT, Abuja - A report by TheCable states that a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declined an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and detain Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Justice JT Tsoho, the chief judge, declined the motion ex parte which was said to have been filed by the applicant in the absence of the respondent.
Source: Facebook
Terrorism financing: DSS did not provide evidence to back up claim against Emefiele
The judge said the secret police did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.
TheCable cited sources at the high court as saying that the judge said he should have been taken into confidence if there was any evidence to back the allegations.
“The honourable judge also wondered why the name of the respondent was given simply as ‘Godwin Emefiele’ without a material disclosure that he is the same person as the CBN governor, a highly ranking public official who occupies an extremely sensitive position,” the source was quoted as saying.
The court said such an application should have been accompanied by presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.
CBN and the cash withdrawal policy
There are allegations that the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political given the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the 2023 elections.
Earlier on Monday, a group of civil society organisations raised the alarm that there was a plot to frame Emefiele for terrorism and remove him from office.
DSS sends important warning to Nigerians
Meanwhile, DSS has warned Nigerians against being used to “undermine” its investigations.
In a statement issued on Monday, Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, said the service will not be distracted by those seeking to use “propaganda” to undermine its lawful investigations.
Afunanya said one of the duties of the DSS is the “investigation of matters of national security dimension. It has always discharged this responsibility in the overall interest of Nigerian citizens”.
“As such, the Service will continue to disseminate actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities devoid of any sentiment,” the statement reads.
“While professionally discharging its mandate, the DSS pledges to remain focused and unbiased. It will not, by any means, succumb to propaganda, intimidation and the desperation of hirelings to undermine it.
“It will also not give room to the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.
“Given not to join issues, the Service warns those on a wild goose chase to be mindful of their actions. Similarly, it urges members of the public to disregard the vituperations and rantings of misguided elements and not allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.
“Notably, these elements should remember the famous axiom that ‘you will only deceive some people, some of the time, but not all people, all the time’.
“To put it succinctly, the Service will not be distracted by persons and/or groups from carrying out its duties to the Nation, citizens, and, President and Commander-in-Chief.”
Afunanya asked Nigerians to “avoid being used to thwart or undermine the Service and its lawful investigations as those who wish to act in the breach will be dealt with in accordance with the law”.
Why Arewa Youth is supporting CBN cashless policy, withdrawal limits, Yerima Shettima
In another report, the national president of the Arewa Youths, Yerima Shettima, explained why the group is backing the CBN cashless policy and the new withdrawal limits.
Shettima said his group took the decision to support the policy because it’s for the people and will further fight off crimes.
He dismissed the position of the POS users and the views of the Nigerians kicking against the policy.
Source: Legit.ng
