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Group Urges DSS To Respect Rule Of Law In Emefiele’s Case
The Niger Delta Rights Advocates, a group advocating for the rights of the Niger Delta region, has emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law in the case of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Saturday, the group’s national coordinator, Bright Ngolo, expressed concern over the manner in which Emefiele was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS), suggesting it resembled an abduction.
Ngolo highlighted the existence of a court order that prohibits the DSS, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and others from arresting Emefiele.
He stressed that demonstrating respect for the rule of law in this matter would signify the establishment of a strong democracy in the country, and any deviation from that course would undermine it.
The statement reads, “The reports we have is that operatives of the DSS stormed the Lagos residence of Dr. Godwin Emefiele at the dead of the night (2 am), blindfolded him, and forcefully took him away in a manner suggestive of abduction.
“As Rights Advocates, we should not live in a nation where all manner of Gestapo-style arrests will be made in the name of getting people to question them or account for perceived misdeeds.
“It is clear that Mr. Emefiele could be invited for questioning at any time since no Nigerian is above the law.
“However, we are also concerned with the fact that there is a judgement by a competent court in suit no GAR/CV/41/2022 instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership wherein Justice M.A. Hassan barred the DSS, Attorney General of the Federation, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, who are listed as 1st, 2bd and 5th defendants from arresting Godwin Emefiele.
“Our call for the authorities to respect the rule of law by challenging and setting aside Justice Hassan’s judgement has nothing to do with the propriety or otherwise of his removal from office as CBN Governor.”
“The NDRA wants the due process of the law to be followed in pursuing the Emefiele case rather than painting the picture of repression of the rule of law. ”
“The group further alleged that certain state governments, with Rivers State being singled out, have obtained a court ruling that prevents the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting officials of the state government.
“And up till date, the EFCC has failed to vacate that judgement and equally failed to investigate the monumental regime of entrenched fraud in the running of the state in the past 8yrs.
“We call on all agencies of government, therefore, to respect the rule of law as a confirmation that democracy has taken root in our country.
“And no institution or agency of government can just wake up and overreach its bounds,” the NDRA national coordinator stated.
Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is set to address a world press conference at his residence in Abuja on Friday.
The specific reason for the media briefing has not been disclosed as of the time of filing this report.
SEE ALSO: Mambilla: ICC Orders Sunrise Power to Pay Nigeria $11.8m After 9-Year Battle
Atiku’s planned engagement comes amid several developments attracting public attention, including a recent report from TheCable concerning a $500,000 payment allegedly transferred in 2003 to his former wife, Jennifer Douglas, by Leno Adesanya, promoter of Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited.
TheCable reported that Adesanya told an international arbitration tribunal that the payment was part of a foreign-exchange transaction carried out for Atiku.
The report further stated that the payment was made through China Castle Investments Limited, an offshore company controlled by Adesanya.
The development comes shortly after an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal ruled in favour of Nigeria in the $2.35 billion arbitration dispute brought by Sunrise Power over the Mambilla hydropower project.
The tribunal also ordered Sunrise Power and its promoter to reimburse Nigeria for a portion of its legal fees and expenses.
However, there is currently no official indication that Atiku’s scheduled press conference is connected to the Sunrise Power report, the arbitration ruling or any other specific issue.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that no one found culpable in the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners who died in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State will be shielded.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in a statement released on Friday while expressing the Federal Government’s condolences to the Niger State Government, the families of the deceased and the people of the Wushishi community.
The deaths occurred following the arrest of the suspected illegal miners during enforcement operations against illegal mining activities in the Wushishi/Lukoto axis of Niger State.
ALSO READ: 37 Miners’ Deaths: Interior Minister Arrives Minna, Set to Inspect Detention Centre
Idris said the circumstances surrounding the deaths require a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation, stressing that the government’s responsibility is to establish the facts and ensure justice is served.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, had ordered the suspension of the Niger State Commandant of the NSCDC, Suberu Siyaka Aniviye, and directed a full investigation into the incident.
“The swift action taken by the Honourable Minister of Interior underscores the seriousness with which the Federal Government views this matter,” Idris said.
He added that the investigation would be allowed to establish exactly what happened and that appropriate action would be taken based on its findings.
“There will be no attempt to shield anyone found culpable. At the same time, we mustn’t prejudge the outcome of the investigation. The Government’s responsibility is to ensure that the facts are established and that justice is served,” the minister said.
Idris stressed that while the Federal Government remains committed to combating illegal mining and other unlawful activities, enforcement operations must be conducted within the law and with respect for human life and dignity.
He appealed for calm in Wushishi and across Niger State, urging residents and other concerned parties to allow the investigation to proceed without interference.
The minister also assured the families of the deceased and the people of Niger State that the Federal Government shares in their grief and remains committed to fully establishing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Friday arrived at the Niger State Government House in Minna following the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The minister’s visit comes as pressure mounts on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the detainees.
SEE ALSO: How Can 37 Suspected Illegal Miners Die in Gov’t Custody? Nigerians Demand Answers
Tunji-Ojo is expected to meet with officials of the Niger State Government as part of his visit to the state.
He is also expected to proceed to the detention centre where the suspected illegal miners were held before their deaths.
The incident has sparked public concern and protests in Minna, with residents demanding answers over the deaths of the detainees while in government custody.
The Federal Government has ordered an investigation into the incident, while the Niger State NSCDC commandant has been suspended pending the outcome of the probe.
Details shortly…….
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