The Citizens Watch Advocacy Initiative, CWAI, a civil society and anti-corruption organization, has taken the Central Bank of NIgeria, CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele to the Abuja High Court challenging the propriety of his re-appointment as CBN governor.
CWAI also seeks to find clarification on the unexplained and uncontroverted diversion of N500 billion under Emiefele’s leadership.
In a press release signed by the Executive Secretary of CWAI, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, and Head Media Relations, Comrade James Okoronkwo, CWAI affirmed the declaration that the alleged diversion of N500 billion is a serious misconduct rendering Mr. Emefiele incapable of remaining as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with Section 11(2)(c) of the CBN Act 2007.
Citing a full audio conversation as well as on May 13, 2019 full transcription of the conversation between the CBN Governor and Deputy Governor, Mr. Edward Lametek Adamu; Director of Finance, Dayo M. Arowosegbe and Special Adviser to the CBN governor, Mr Emmanuel Ukeze, discussing how to cover up diverted N500 billion by Sahara Reporters(online medium), CWAI said the allegations were later admitted in the press statement issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“CBN merely classified the allegation as connected with N150 billion, to which we issued a press statement on May 13, 2019, which was published under the caption, “Alleged N500 deal: Suspend Emefiele now, CWAI tells FG,” CWAI said.
CWAI reasoned that the Nigerian Senate, by this singular act of confirming Emefiele for a second term, has failed Nigerians.
It said: “This was done irrespective of the clarion call by Nigerians that justice must be done, due process and rule of law must be followed in order to get to the root of the alleged infraction.
“CWAI has decided to take up the gauntlet from those corrupt few “who have held us by the jugular as hostage in our own country to seek redress in the re-appointment and subsequent speedy confirmation of Mr, Emefiele, whose tenure as governor has witnessed a tumultuous event of alleged financial infractions and the nose-diving of the economy since he assumed duties as the head of the apex bank.”
Earlier on, in the said statement, the CWAI urged the Senate to look at the vexed issue raised in the audio conversation by concerned Nigerians so as not to confirm the CBN governor but “in a sudden twist on 16th May, 2019, the Senate hurriedly screened and confirmed the CBN governor without due recourse to all.”
Revealing its utmost action, the statement said: “CWAI therefore vehemently opposes Mr. Godwin Emefiele’s re-appointment by the Federal Government, screening and subsequent confirmation as CBN governor by the Senate, in all its entirety, insisting that justice must be seen to have been done.
“The CBN governor and his management staff involved in the alleged N500 billion deal, were to have been duly suspended due to the misconduct and proper investigations carried out for Nigerians to determine the veracity and the extent of culpability so as to give the appointment the much needed credibility it deserves.
“CWAI is in court, and is determined to see to it that the interpretation of Section 11(2)(c) of the CBN Act 2007 is thoroughly adhered to.”
