Traders at the popular Kano Forex Market popularly known as WAPA have celebrated the suspension of Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Daily News 24 reports that the traders who are under the auspices of Al’amanat Bureau De Change Association described the suspension of the Apex Bank Governor by President Bola Tinubu as a welcome development.
Speaking at his office, Chairman of Al’amanat Association, Sani Dada stated that they have been waiting for the moment.
“We have been waiting for the day to come. We all jubilated hearing the announcement by Mr President of removing Godwin Emefiele as CBN Governor. Our people are very happy for appointing Folashodun Shonubi as the new acting CBN Governor. We know he is a man of integrity, he is the man that can do the job. We have a trust for him and respect.” The Chairman said.
On his part, The Association’s Financial Sectary, Ammar Aliyu provided advises for the acting new CBN Governor.
“I have two advises for him. First is to revive the exchange rate of Nigeria, black market rate and official rate to one price. When I say one price I mean BDC price, BTA price, and official price and black market price to be all the same. And the second advice is for the President or acting CBN Governor to bring back the BDCs.” He stated.
Tinubu suspends Emefiele
Recall that President, Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, from office with immediate effect.
The Director of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Willie Bassey disclosed this in a statement on Friday night.
He explained that the suspension of the CBN governor was based on an ongoing investigation as well as planned reforms in the financial sector.
Court summoned Emefiele over Paris Club refunds
The Federal High Court in Abuja had summoned Godwin Emefiele over a $53 million judgement debt arising from the Paris Club refunds, PUNCH reports.
The presiding judge, Inyang Ekwo, mandated that the court will not hear Emefiele’s motion for stay until he appears before it.
Emefiele was initially invited to appear before it on January 18, 2023, to explain his refusal to obey a valid order for payment of a $70m debt.
DSS arrests Emefiele
The Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of the suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
This is contained in a statement released on Saturday by Peter Afunanya, the Service’s Public Relations Officer.
“The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby confirms that Mr Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is now in its custody for some investigative reasons.
“The public, particularly the Media, is enjoined to apply utmost caution in the reportage and narratives concerning this,” the statement reads.
Tribune Online reports the arrest of the embattled CBN governor following his suspension by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a statement from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, late Friday.
Emefiele may be charged to court this week
Barring any change in government’s plans, the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, may be charged to court this week.
Security sources who spoke to LEADERSHIP, said the case against Emefiele is a simple one since he has been in running battle with the DSS over some terrorism financing for some time now.
The sources said now that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended the governor, the coast is clear for the DSS to bring him in for questioning and possible prosecution.
Some of the charges that may be brought against Emefiele include terrorism financing, fraudulent activities and involvement in economic crimes of national security dimension including mismanaging the CBN subsidiary, NISRAL and the central bank’s Anchor Borrowers Programme.
The DSS also accused Emefiele of fraud, money laundering, round tripping and conferment of financial benefits to self and others.
