The African Centre for Justice and Human Rights (ACJHR), a civil society organisation (CSO), has issued an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu about the arrest and trial of suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The CSO stated in a statement issued on Sunday that Emefiele is innocent of the new accusations of Procurement Act violations and unfair benefits in contract awarding made against him by the Federal Government.
It should be recalled that Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) and attorney for the Federal Ministry of Justice, recently disclosed that the Federal Government had filed a new 20-count complaint against Emefiele before an FCT High Court in Abuja.
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The accusations arose from improper benefits given to Emefiele’s colleagues, including Sa’adatu Yaro, a CBN employee, and her business, April1616 Investment Limited. They are charged with purchasing 98 luxury automobiles and armoured buses, with a total estimated cost of almost $6.9 billion.
The DSS, according to the CSO, is purportedly engaged in a witch hunt that is being funded by politicians and businesses who are determined to demolish the suspended top banker. This is evident from the manner the allegations against Emefiele are evolving, the CSO claimed.
In a statement, ACJHR’s convener, Barrister Tochukwu Ohazuruike, criticised the most recent assertions made by the Federal Government.
He referred to the measures taken by the secret police under Federal Government order as unfair treatment of Emefiele since, in his opinion, he was being forced to face legal proceedings unfairly.
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While highlighting how the Department of State Services (DSS) has disregarded the judiciary about Emefiele’s case over the course of months, ACJHR urged President Tinubu to instruct the secret police to release Emefiele while the matter is being heard and decided.
The group stated, “Emefiele is innocent of the fresh allegations of breach of procurement Act and unfair advantages in the award of a contract by the Federal Government. The Department of State Services, DSS, over the months has tried in vain to pin the suspended CBN Governor with baseless charges.
“First, it was an allegation of terrorism financing, then alleged possession of illegal firearms, now they are withdrawing the charges and claiming Emefiele breached the Procurement Act.
“With the way the secret police is changing their claims against the embattled suspended CBN Governor, it’s clear that they are on a witch-hunt, sponsored by unscrupulous politicians and businessmen who are hellbent on destroying him.
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“However, as a human rights organisation, we believe that everyone charged with an offence is innocent until proven guilty. We won’t allow violations of human rights and hereby urge President Bola Tinubu to direct the police to release Emefiele pending the hearing and determination of the trial.”
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