* Protest by CSOs is cheap propaganda, insist secret police
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, reportedly rejected an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The Chief Judge, Justice JT Tsoho, who turned down the ex-parte motion, said the secret police failed to provide any solid evidence to back its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.
The judge said that he should have been taken into confidence if there was any evidence to back the allegations in the application, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2255/2022.
The court said such an application should have been accompanied with the presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.
Tsoho said: “In the light of the foregoing reasons, I decline to grant this application ex parte. If the applicant believes that the evidence available to it so far is sufficient, then it can as well arrest and detain the applicant, even without the order of the court. If however the applicant desires to still pursue this application, then it should place the respondent on notice considering the sensitive public office that he occupies.”
Meanwhile, a coalition of civil society organizations on Monday evening had protested the alleged plot to remove Emefiele, on what they said was trumped-up terrorism charges in Abuja.
This followed the discovery of the suit secretly filed by the DSS at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where it accused the CBN governor of terrorism financing and other activities considered as a threat to the country’s security.
The protesters, comprising Buhari Legacy Defenders, Arewa Youth Consultative Movement, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Movement, African Centre for Justice and Human rights, Ethnic youth Leaders, Political Parties Chairmen Forum, Lawyers in Defence of Economic rights and Justice marched to the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (OAGF), where they expressed displeasure with the action of the DSS.
But the DSS vowed not to succumb to what it called cheap propaganda and intimidation by “individuals or groups when it comes to matters of national security.”
The Service was reacting to protests staged by a coalition of CSOs over attempt to arrest Emefiele over alleged terrorism sponsorship.
Its spokesperson, Dr Peter Afunanya, said the Service “won’t give room for the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.”
Afunanya said the DSS has always “discharged its responsibilities in the overall interest of Nigerian citizens,” noting that the Service will continue to disseminate actionable intelligence to the relevant authorities devoid of any sentiment.
“While professionally discharging its mandate, the DSS pledges to remain focused and unbiased. It will not, by any means, succumb to propaganda, intimidation and the desperation of hirelings to undermine it.
“It will also not give room to the use of falsehood and deceit to misdirect public understanding and perceptions of issues of national importance.
“Given not to join issues, the Service warns those on a wild goose chase to be mindful of their actions. Similarly, it urges members of the public to disregard the vituperations and rantings of misguided elements and not allow themselves to be used as instruments of destabilisation.
“Notably, these elements should remember the famous axiom that “you will only deceive some people, some of the time, but not all people, all the time”.
“To put it succinctly, the Service will not be distracted by persons and/or groups from carrying out its duties to the Nation, citizens, President and Commander-in-Chief.
“Citizens are, therefore, urged to avoid being used to thwart or undermine the Service and its lawful investigations as those who wish to act in the breach will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the DSS said.