December 05, (THEWILL) – A diaspora group, Conference of Nigerian Intellectuals (CNI), in the United States, has described the continuous detention of former Nigeria’s Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, as “illegal, wicked, and fiendish.”
The former apex bank chief had been detained by the Federal Government since his arrest on June 10, 2023.
THEWILL reports that Emefiele, who is currently being remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre, was on Wednesday, November 22, granted bail in the sum of N300 million and two sureties in like sum, pending when he meets his bail conditions.
Amid several failed attempts to rope in Emefiele, the Federal Government had again filed a six-count charge, bordering on alleged breach of the procurement Act, against the former apex bank chief.
While the trial commenced last Tuesday, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, the three witnesses presented by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), exonerated Emefiele of wrongdoings in the award of N1.2 billion vehicle supply contracts by the CBN under him.
THEWILL earlier reported that the House of Representatives had directed an investigation into the alleged failed attempt by the EFCC to abduct and forcefully remove Emefiele from the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja in defiance of a subsisting Court order, which granted him bail.
Drawing the attention of the international community to alleged human rights violations under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the diaspora group expressed displeasure at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) handling of Emefiele’s case.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr Philips Idris, the Conference of Nigerian Intellectuals in the US, said Emefiele is currently being sequestered and shackled like a common criminal by the Federal Government.
Quoting Article 9 of the United Nations Human Rights, the group noted that the International Law of Human Rights obligates governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups.
It also noted serial abuse of the rule of law and disregard for the freedom and rights of innocent Nigerians since the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as President on May 29, 2023.
The Group, which described Emefiele’s ordeal as persecution, said: “We have watched with concern and indeed, consternation, the relentless persecution of Mr Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele is currently being sequestered and shackled like a common criminal in Nigeria.
“Several court orders had been secured for his release, but they were serially and flagrantly disobeyed by the EFCC and DSS. Judging by the ferocity with which Emefiele is being pursued, it seems someone wants him dead.
“His traducers are willing to break any law of the land and dehumanise to punish him for carrying out his statutory duties during his time as governor of CBN.
“He has been denied his freedom and basic rights against both the domestic and international human rights laws. Article 9 of the United Nations Human Rights states that ‘No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
“As concerned citizens in the diaspora, we have decided to draw the attention of the international community to the new reign of terror back home. Our dear country seems to be heading back to dictatorship.
“We are by this statement, urging the Nigerian government to do the right thing, which is to free Emefiele. We are also warning the EFCC not to erode the confidence of the international community in doing business with us as a nation, by violating the fundamental rights of perceived opponents of the Asiwaju Administration.
“Should this plea fall on deaf ears, we will be staging a peaceful protest in the USA and another by our sister organisation in London, on Monday (next week).”
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