By Ogochukwu Isioma
A Federal High court in Abuja has been urged to declare Mr Godwin Emefiele not fit and proper person to continue to occupy the position of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria on account of his partisan political Interest
The court was urged to direct the President Buhari to remove the incumbent CBN Governor for breach of the CBN Act, the Public Service Rules and Extant laws.
In a suit by Originating Motion filed on 9 May 2022 by a non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Rethink African Foundation, and a businessman Mr Moses Atunba the Claimants sought:
* A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that the 3rd Defendant cannot continue in office by his association with partisan political parties which robs the CBN of the independence granted by extant Laws.
* A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that Mr. Godwin Emefiele is no longer fit and proper to continue in office as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria by his association with partisan political interest
* A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that the incumbent Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Mr. Godwin Emefiele who has been openly canvassed and paraded as a contestant for a partisan political office is by this action robbed of public confidence as to his impartiality in discharging the function of his office with respect to currency dealing, monetary policies, financial intermediation to banks and consumers , business enterprises, and the general public.
* A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that by engaging in partisan politics either by himself or through proxies, friends , or associates by any name called to the extent of appearing in APC campaign posters, billboards and campaign vehicles, the incumbent can no longer impartially continue to act in a professional manner as adviser to the Government of Nigeria on financial and monetary policies, and as regulator of the financial sector of Nigeria
* A DECLARATION of this Honourable Court that by the community reading and interpretation of Section 9 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (Establishment) Act and Section 66 (1), 107 (f), 137 (1) (g) 142 (2), 182 and 187(2) of the 1999 Constitution a sitting CBN Governor is precluded from partisan political interests whilst still in office .
* An ORDER of this Honourable Court mandating the 1st defendant to immediately sack Mr. Emefiele from office to protect the independence of the CBN.
Grounds upon which this Reliefs are Sought
* That the 1st Claimant in this suit is a non- governmental organizations whose members are bona-fide citizens of Nigeria.
*That 2nd Claimant is a Nigerian citizen and business man who reside in Abuja Nigeria.
*That this application is brought in the public interest on a matter concerning the well being , economic management and prosperity of every Nigerian.It is important to grant the reliefs being sought, for the sake of justice, equity and to protect the sanctity of Nigerian laws, and Constitution.
