The Patriots Network Nigeria and Citizens Stability Forum has called on detractors of the move made by the Department of State Services DSS on the arrest and investigation of Central Bank of Nigeria’s CBN governor Mr Godwin Emefiele.
This is contained in a statement to newsmen in Dutse, Jigsaws State by the lead convener of the forum Comrade Mukhtar Lawal at a press conference organized by the forum.
It explains that, the forum decided to organize the conference looking at how the move to arrest and investigate CBN governor is taking another dimension because of the interest of few people.
“It is known that the DSS invited CBN governor over accusations of economic and financial crimes of national security dimension and has even filed an ex-parte motion at the high court in Abuja for his arrest over these accusations”.
“However, while the sitting judge declined the ex-parte motion filed, mentioned that if the DSS believes that the evidence available to it so far is sufficient, then it has the jurisdiction to arrest and detain the applicant, even without the order of the court.
“While all this is ongoing, Mr Emefiele was alerted of the plans by DSS to arrest him and hurriedly left the country to avoid arrest, which only indicates his unwillingness to answer and address the accusation surrounding him.
“what is preventing Emefiele from allowing the investigation by DSS? Why are powerful people who are known to be selfish and corrupt supporting Emefiele and shielding him away from the investigation?
“We cannot have a country were only the poor and powerless are subjected to the rule of law whereas those in power and their cohorts are not”
The Statement points out that, DSS is saddled with critical functions of prevention and detection of any crime/terrorism against the internal security of Nigeria and provision of timely advice to Government on matters of National security interest among other.
“So why will their investigation on the CBN governor be an exception just because of the interest of selfish elements”. The Statement adds.
Cov/USMAN MZ