Emefiele currently not in Nigeria, has been secretly declared wanted by DSS – Human rights activist, Femi Falana

He also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to step in and ensure order in the matter.

Falana stated that, “I can say without any fear that Godwin Emefiele is currently not in Nigeria, but he has been quietly declared wanted by DSS.

“This can only happen in a Banana republic. How can an agency accuse the CBN governor of terrorism financing without any form of evidence?,” he added.

Falana further noted that the former CBN governor, Lamido Sanusi, was also accused of terrorism financing in 2014, a case which he won and was granted N50 million in reparations, Channels TV reports.

He said that, “The details are not outlined and these guys play on our collective intelligence because they know we are forgetful.

“In 2014, Emefiele’s predecessor, former Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, was equally accused of terrorism financing when he was attending a meeting with governors of African Central banks.

“When Sanusi landed in Lagos, he was arrested. However, he challenged the federal government in a high court.

“He ended up winning the case, and the allegation of terrorism financing was dismissed. Sanusi was also awarded N50 million reparations.

“You can’t have such serious allegations against the governor of CBN without solid proofs,” he added.

Falana noted that so much is expected of Nigeria as the most populous black nation on earth, urging for maturity from every party involved in the case.

He stated that, “There is no country in the world where a Central Bank governor would be chased out of the country

“Has the federal government considered the enormous implications and effect of a wanted governor of the apex bank on the economy?

“The court struck out the case because DSS does not need a court order to arrest Emefiele, if it has the evidence to support its claims.

“I expect the DSS to come out with proofs, and if Emefiele won’t return to the country, the agency should file a charge at the federal high court.

“I am flabbergasted that the president has not intervened, and called the DSS to order.

“In fact, I’m surprised that President Buhari is yet to order Emefiele to return to the country.

“We can’t go on acting like we are operating in a banana republic. It is embarrassing,” he added.

Recall that the secret police recently filed an application to the federal high court sitting in Abuja, seeking to arrest and detain Emefiele over terrorism charges and economic crimes.

However, the court declined the application, adding that the DSS did not provide concrete evidence to substantiate its claims.

The court told DSS that such an application should have been accompanied by presidential approval because of the grave implications on the economy if the CBN governor is detained.