‘We won’t interfere’ — Ohanaeze disowns statement condemning Emefiele’s suspension

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, says it will not interfere in the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

On Friday, President Bola Tinubu suspended Emefiele and asked him to transfer his responsibilities to Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the deputy governor, operations directorate.

On Saturday, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced that Emefiele was in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.

The suspension and arrest of Emefiele have elicited varied reactions.

In a statement credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide signed by Chima Uzor, the group was quoted as saying the suspension of Emefiele is “ethnic cleansing”.

However, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the group has no affiliation with Uzor.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Iwuanyanwu asked security operatives to arrest Uzor for allegedly impersonating the group.

“Mazi Chima Uzor is an impersonator and unknown to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. There is no office for national interest matters in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,” the statement reads.

“Ohanaeze has no intention whatsoever to interfere with investigations by the DSS or other security agents of the country.

“Ohanaeze also has no intention whatsoever to interfere with the disciplinary actions by the government on officials of the government.

“Individuals have a right to go to court and when the court of law proves the individual innocent and Ohanaeze is convinced that the individual is innocent, Ohanaeze will take every step necessary to assist the individual.

“In the other hand, if the individual is guilty, the Ohanaeze will be unable to assist.

“The case of Mazi Chima Uzor is a matter of criminal impersonation. By this disclaimer, we are requesting the security agents to treat this matter as a very serious crime case.

“We wish finally to alert the public on many fraudsters who are tarnishing the good name and reputation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by making false publications in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for selfish interests.”