DSS Plots to Arrest CBN Governor Emefiele over Alleged Terrorism Financing- CSO Raises Alarm

A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has raised alarm alleging that plots are afoot to frame the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Godwin Emefiele by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking at a press conference on Monday in Abuja, the group operating under the auspices of Coalition of National Interest Defenders, comprising Human rights lawyers, Chairmen of political parties, Civil Society groups, Arewa Youth Consultative Movement and ethnic leaders said the allegation was weighty and too sensitive to be swept under the carpet.

Convener of the Coalition, Tochukwu Ohazuruike said the security agency filed a motion in court accusing the CBN Governor of terrorism financing and other crimes it described as economic crimes of national security dimension.

The coalition asked if the apex bank boss who served over seven years in office could get involved, demanding that the Director General of the DSS be sacked immediately.

The group alleged that the DSS failed to inform President Muhammadu Buhari, even as Emefiele was allowed to travel out with the President on official assignments, wondering why a terrorist financier will be allowed to go close to the President.

They said: “We are challenging the authenticity of the DSS claims and if it is true, why was Emefiele allowed to go close to the President and even travel out with him?

“It showed the DG SSS did not believe Emefiele was indeed a terrorist and this, therefore, means that the claims of the SSS in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022 between State Security Service and Godwin Emefiele were made with the sole purpose of forcefully and wrongfully removing the CBN Governor from office.”

The group demanded the immediate investigation of the DSS boss, Yusuf Magaji Bichi with approved sanction if found wanting.

The briefing on Monday witnessed a mammoth crowd of party supporters with placards calling for the investigation of the claims