January 02, (THEWILL) – A lawyer, Peter Abang, has petitioned the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), over failed attempt by the Department of State Services (DSS), to frame up the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, for terrorism financing, as well as other sundry offences.
THEWILL had reported the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice John Tsoho, on December 9, declined to grant an ex parte application by the DSS to arrest Emefiele for the alleged terrorism act
Justice M. A. Hassan of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), also restrained the DSS, Police and other security agencies from harassing, arresting, intimidating Emefiele, over what he described as baseless and oppressive charges.
Ruling in a suit marked FCT/HC/CV/GAR/41/2022, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, Justice Hassan held that the DSS “Acted wrongfully and illegally in instigating President Muhammadu Buhari against Mr Godwin Emefiele in respect of the exercise of his statutory duty, relating to the issuance of monetary policies and directives in the interest of the National Security and economy.”
However, Abang, in the petition, specifically asked the AGF to commence criminal inquiry, arrest and prosecution of all persons and personnel of the DSS including the Director General of the Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, involved in the failed plot against Emefiele.
The petition reads in part: “In view of the above suit filed by the State Security Services, which the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Hon. Justice John Tsoho, delivered its ruling on December 9, 2022, a certified copy of the Ruling is attached and we are by this letter respectfully requesting that your good offices commence a full scale criminal inquiry into the circumstances Ieading to the failed attempt by the State Security Services (otherwise known as the Department of State Services) to frame the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on allegations and trumped up terrorism financing charges, as well as other sundry offences.
“We also request that your offices conduct a thorough investigation and ultimately arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties connected to the failed rogue operation in the overall interest of Nigeria.
“Note that this letter serves as a notice to commence an action for mandamus to compel your offices to arrest and prosecute all persons and/or parties who are connected in the event that you fail at accede to our request within 7 days from the date of service of this letter to you.”
