N’ Delta group faults Emefiele’s arrest, says it’s a violation of rule of law

The Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), says the arrest of Godwin Emefiele, suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), is a violation of the rule of law.

On Saturday, the Department of State Services (DSS) said the suspended CBN governor was in their custody.

The statement came hours after the secret police said he was “currently” not in detention.

In December 2022, a federal high court sitting in Abuja declined an application by the DSS to arrest and detain Emefiele.

In a video seen by TheCable, Emefiele was sighted alighting from a Hilux truck, and subsequently boarding a private jet alongside security operatives.

In a statement on Saturday,  Bright Ngolo, national coordinator of the NDRA, faulted the secret police for disobeying the court’s restraint, adding that Emefiele’s manner of arrest suggested abduction.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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 asked the DSS to follow the process of the law in pursuing Emefiele’s case rather than painting the picture of repression of the rule of law.

Emefiele has been on the radar of the DSS since 2022 over alleged terrorism financing.