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Former AGF, SANs warn FG against plan to frame Emefiele for Terrorism
*Allegations against CBN gov can only happen in a Banana Republic, says Falana
Six Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Adetokunbo Kayode, has warned the federal government against planned moves by the Department of State Service (DSS) to arrest and frame the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele on terrorism charges in flagrant disobedience of order of court.
Equally speaking on the issue, was human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), who described the allegations against Emefiele by the DSS as embarrassing, adding that it can only happen in a Banana Republic.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had secretly approached a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja to arrest Emefiele over alleged terrorism financing and economic crimes of national security,
But Justice Maryam Hassan quashed the move.
The judge thereafter barred the DSS from arresting, inviting, or detaining Emefiele declaring the terrorism allegations against the CBN governor by the DSS as vindictive, callous, oppressive, void and of no effect.
But the senior lawyers in a letter to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, condemned the planned arrest of the CBN, stating that anything done without regard to the rule of law would affect negatively Nigeria’s image internationally, as well as the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
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Besides Kayode, who doubles as a former Minister of Defence, the other SANs who signed the letter dated January 6, 2023, are Oba Maduabuchi, Emeka Ozoani, M.M Nurudeen, Abdul Mohammed, and Dr. Emeka Obegolu.
A copy of the letter received by the office of the AGF on January 11, which was sighted by THISDAY, was titled: ‘Emefiele: Let the Rule of Law Prevail.’
The SANs claimed that they have observed moves by the DSS to still proceed, sidetrack and disobey the court decisions and unduly and unlawfully interfere with Emefiele’s fundamental rights.
They therefore urged the Attorney General of the Federation to use his good offices to guarantee and ensure that the government, especially the security agencies, observe the rule of law as a foundation of a democratic society by complying with court decisions.
The letter read in part, “We are pleased to present our respect and best wishes to you. We are certain that you have followed with keen interest the events of the last few weeks which climaxed with the dismissal by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of the application of the DSS to arrest and detain the Governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, under the terrorism finance laws, etc., pursuant to unsubstantiated allegations of terrorism financing and other economic crimes with national security implications. We also note the judgment of the High Court of the FCT, coram Hassan J., which in the main, pronounced on and validated the fundamental rights of Mr. Godwin Emefiele. In spite of these two categorical judicial decisions, we observe moves to still proceed and sidetrack and disobey the court decisions and unduly and unlawfully interfere with Mr. Emefiele’s fundamental rights.
”In the circumstance, we wish to urge the Hon AGF to use his good offices to guarantee and ensure that the government, especially the security agencies, observe the rule of law as a foundation of a democratic society by complying with court decisions. The court, as the last hope of the citizen, has made a pronouncement on the legal rights and obligations of citizen Godwin Emefiele, it behoves on all agencies of government to obey the order of the court, until such order is set aside by an appellate court.
”The constitutional role of the judiciary as the third arm of government includes to serve as a bulwark against oppression and intimidation. The judiciary remains available to both the government and the citizens, in the ventilation of perceived grievances. Consequently, we respectfully urge the Hon. Attorney General, as Chief Law Officer of the Federation, to ensure adherence to the rule of law and advise the security agencies, especially the DSS to comply with the order of the court and not do anything that will cast this government in a very negative light in this circumstance. This is very important as it will signal to Nigerians and the international community that the government is committed to the rule of law as we proceed into this transition era.”
Also, Falana described the allegations against Emefiele by the DSS as embarrassing, saying it can only happen in a Banana Republic where the governor of the apex bank would be accused of a grave offence of terrorism financing.
Falana, who spoke during a live television programme in Lagos, wondered if the federal government had considered the enormous implication of the effect of arresting a central bank governor on the economy.
He said he was surprised that President Muhammadu Buhari has not intervened in the matter by calling the DSS to order.
“Has the government considered the enormous implication of the effect of a wanted governor of the central bank on the economy?
“I am completely flabbergasted that the President of the country has not intervened; either to call the state security to order or to call Mr. Emefiele to return to the country or be fired,” the senior lawyer said.
Thisday
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More trouble for Yahaya Bello as immigration places him watchlist
More trouble for Yahaya Bello as immigration places him on watchlist
The Nigeria Immigration Service has ordered the arrest of former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaha Bello, if found at any entry/exit point of the country.
The NIS said on Thursday night that Yahaya Bellowas placed on its watchlist after evading arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegation of N80 billion fraud.
This notice came a few hours after the EFCC had declared the former governor wanted.
The NIS, in a letter addressed to the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency as well as other formations declared that Bello had been placed on its watch list.
The letter was signed by the Assistant Comptroller of Immigration (Suspect Index), D S Umar, on behalf of the Comptroller General of the Immigration Service.
Part of the letter read, “Suffice to mention that the subject is being prosecuted before the Federal High Court Abuja for Conspiracy, Breach of Trust and Money Laundering vide letter Ref: CR: 3000/EFCC/LS/EGCS.1/TE/V 1/279 dated 18th April 2024, if seen at any entry or exit point, he should be arrested and referred to the Director of Investigation or contact 08036226329/07039617304 for further action.”
News
BREAKING : EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted, seeks information on his whereabout
BREAKING : EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted, seeks information on his whereabout
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday declared former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, wanted.
The anti-graft agency said Bello is wanted for alleged offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 billion.
The EFCC called on Nigerians with information as to his whereabout to report immediately to the Commission or the nearest Police Station.
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“The public is hereby notified that YAHAYA ADOZA BELLO (former Governor of Kogi State), whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with alleged case of Money Laundering to the tune of N80,246,470,089.88 (Eighty Billion, Two Hundred and Forty Six Million, Four Hundred and Seventy Thousand and Eighty Nine Naira, Eighty Eight Kobo).
Bello, 48-year old Ebiraman, is a native of Okenne Local Government of Kogi State. His last known address is: 9, Benghazi Street, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its lbadan, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt and Abuja offices or through these numbers 09-9044751-3, 08093322644, 08183322644, 07026350721-3, 0706350724-5; its e-mail address: info@efccnigeria.org or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies, ” a public notice issued by the EFCC read.
BREAKING : EFCC declares Yahaya Bello wanted, seeks information on his whereabout
News
BREAKING: Submit yourself for probe, FG tells Ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello
BREAKING: Submit yourself for probe, FG tells Ex-Kogi gov, Yahaya Bello
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has called on the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to submit himself for probe.
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