The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, is fighting back to forestall his planned arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS) and preserve his freedom.
He has written a petition to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, demanding the arrest and prosecution of the Director General of (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi.
Emefiele in the petition written by his lawyer Peter Abang wants the DSS DG to be arrested for his alleged role in a failed plot to frame CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, for terrorism financing.
In the petition dated December 30, 2022 and addressed to the AGF, Emefiele’s lawyer called for a full-scale criminal inquiry into the circumstances Ieading to the failed attempt by the State Security Services (otherwise known as the Department of State Services) to frame the Governor of the CBN on allegations and trumped-up terrorism financing charges.
The petition reads: “In view of the above suit filed by the State Security Services, which the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Hon. Justice John Tsoho, delivered its ruling on December 9, 2022 , a certified copy of the Ruling is attached and we are by this letter respectfully requesting that your good offices commence a full scale criminal inquiry into the circumstances Ieading to the failed attempt by the State Security Services (otherwise known as the Department of State Services) to frame the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on allegations and trumped up terrorism financing charges as well as other sundry offences.
“We also request that your offices conduct a thorough investigation and ultimately arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties connected to the failed rogue operation in the overall interest of Nigeria.
“Note that this letter serves as a notice to commence an action for mandamus to compel your offices to arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties who are connected in the event that you fail at accede to our request within 7 days from the date of service of this letter to you.”
● Background
Recall that reports emerged on Monday December 19, 2022 of the DSS approaching the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order to arrest and detain Godwin Emefiele.
However the move by the DSS was greeted by massive protests by human rights lawyers, civil society groups including the Arewa Youth Consultative Movement, which raised the alarm over an alleged plot by the DSS to frame up Emefiele over alleged terrorism sponsorship against Nigeria. (Adapted from Newspot)
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