A Nigerian civil society organization has urged that the beleaguered former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, be released from the detention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Yusuf Maje, Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society for the Defense of Human Rights, stated this on Thursday during a ‘Free Emefiele Rally’ in Abuja.
Emefiele was released by the Department of State Security on October 25, 2023, after being detained on June 9, 2023.
However, he was apprehended by the EFCC shortly after being released from DSS custody.
at response to the news, Maje called Emefiele’s troubles at the hands of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government a witch hunt.
The detention of Emefiele by the EFCC was deemed unjust and excessive by the organization.
Tinubu was also ordered to release Emefiele or charge him in court within seven days.
“We contend that his additional detention amounts to double jeopardy.” To expose an innocent man to such an experience only “to teach him a lesson” is excessive enthusiasm on the part of the EFCC and a waste of government resources. Members of the public are concerned that the EFCC has allowed itself to be used as a tool of oppression rather than the anti-corruption body that it should be.
“We state unequivocally that tossing Godwin Emefiele around like a football from one government agency to another in the name of investigation is unacceptable and will be vigorously opposed.” We reject this Gestapo approach since Nigeria is no longer ruled by a military regime in which innocent persons’ rights may be abruptly revoked. Granted, President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is doing all possible to eliminate the country of corruption and reposition it on the road of economic growth and sustainable development.
“Finally, we demand that Godwin Emefiele be released from EFCC custody or charged in court within the next seven days.” If this demand is not satisfied, the Federal Government will be confronted with the overwhelming population of our Coalition across the country,” he warned.
