News
DSS quizzes Embattled CBN gov, Emefiele, 10 board members, others over forex
The embattled Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, the other 10 members of the apex bank’s Board of Directors, including the four deputy governors and six non-Executive Directors as well as Chief Executive Officers/Managing Directors of 27 commercial banks in the country, were at the weekend summoned by the Department of State Services.
They are all expected to appear before the DSS today (Monday) to answer further questions on forex allocations from 2017 to date.
Emefiele, as the Chairman of the apex bank’s Board of Directors, is to lead other members of the Board to the DSS headquarters in Abuja today.
The CBN Board of Directors is statutorily empowered to deliberate and approve forex allocations based on requests, before disbursement.
However, DSS’ investigated of the forex allocations, it was gathered was necessitated by the shocking discovery that forex allocations meant for particularly people in business and investments were not getting to those who really needed and applied for it, rather it had been ending up in the pockets of few privileged, influential and highly placed individuals, including Presidency officials and their acolytes.
It was gathered that preliminary report on forex allocations in the past six years under Emefiele as CBN Gov “is very shocking,” and according to a reliable source, “Nigerians as well as the international community will be surprised at what has been discovered.”
However, it was gathered that the CBN Gov may not honour the DSS invitation and may not visit the secret police headquarters along with the other directors of the apex bank and the commercial bank CEOs today.
Recall that last Wednesday, Emefiele, through a Civil Society Organisation, Forum for Accountability and Good Leadership, obtained a nocturnal fresh court injunction from a Federal Capital Territory High Court restraining the DSS from questioning and obtaining any information from CBN officials and the CEOs of the 27 commercial banks regarding Foreign Exchange allocations from 2017 to date. First News obtained a copy of the court order granted by the Presiding Judge, Justice SB Belgore, who adjourned hearing of the motion on notice on the matter till January 25.
The embattled CBN Gov’s major reason for rushing to court at night last Wednesday, First News learnt, was to stop the commercial banks from releasing the details about forex allocations to the DSS.
But unknown to him, the DSS had, before the court granted the order, questioned and obtained documentary evidence from his deputies at CBN as well as from the 27 bank CEOs on forex allocations in the past six years, as several of the banks had also fully complied with the DSS’ request before the Wednesday night injunction was granted by Justice Belgore.
Following his discovery that most of the commercial banks had complied with the DSS’ request on information concerning the matter, apprehensive Emefiele summoned the banks’ MDs to Abuja for a “crucial meeting” last Saturday, where he “strategised” with them on how to deal with today’s invitation by the secret police.
At the Abuja meeting, First News reliably learnt, it was resolved that the remaining commercial banks that had yet to comply with the DSS’ request for information on forex allocations should “doctor their reports.”
It was further learnt from reliable sources that at today’s meeting with the DSS, the CBN officials and bank CEOs are to shed more light on the approvals of forex allocations to beneficiaries from 2017 to date.
They are also to submit the list of individuals and corporate organisations that have benefitted from the forex allocations so far.
The bank CEOs, it was further gathered, are also to supply the DSS a schedule of the investors and export window foreign exchange allocated to their individual banks from 2017 to date.
The commercial banks are to break the schedule into the amount of forex allocations given to them, list the name of the individual customer/or beneficiary and their purpose/criteria for getting the allocation.
They are also to supply the DSS the name of the authorised persons who allocated the forex and confirm whether it’s the CBN or the commercial banks themselves.
The commercial banks are also to give the secret police summary of the top 50 customers allocated the highest amount of forex and their order of importance.
Recall that the DSS had recently accused Emefiele of allegedly aiding and abetting terrorism, insisting that the CBN Gov must be prosecuted for the alleged crimes.
According to the secret police, preliminary investigations revealed Emefiele’s involvement in various acts of terrorism financing, fraudulent activities and economic crimes of national security dimension.
But the embattled CBN boss has continued to employ all means to escape arrest and interrogation by the DSS.
He recently delayed his return to Nigeria after a trip abroad. He was also said to have engaged some close associates of President Buhari to help him prevail on the DSS to let him off the hook.
The CBN governor is also alleged to have been employing propaganda through organised public protests and demonstrations by CSOs, all in a bid to stop his investigations by the DSS.
**Calls for reversal of the ill-informed Move by the House of reps
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has Condemned the attempt by the House of Representatives to refer Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and other members to the Committee On Ethics for probe over their Solidarity Visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Fifty members of the House of Representatives hadq paid a solidarity visit to the Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to celebrate his one year in office.
The lawmakers, who consist of members of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), Labour Party ( LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party ( NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) also include the spokesman of opposition coalition, in the House, Ikenga Ugochinyere..
Ugochinyere had explained on the sideline of the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt that federal lawmakers were in Rivers to solidarilize with Fubara and celebrate with him on his one year of transformational leadership.
But the House had referred the Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action over their visit
However, the chairman,
Media Committee of the
Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) Chief Barr. Chukwudi Ezeobika in a statement has tackled the leadership of the House for the action which he said clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
“Relying on the point of order/ privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delay retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public.
the Kano State Police Command has countered reports that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano, where Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, leading prayer at the moment.
The reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have been laying claim to the throne, creating confusion in the city.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had dethroned Ado Bayero and asked him to hand over within 48 hours.
But the dethroned monarch in defiance returned to the town under military protection and has been operating from the mini palace since then.
In a statement by Abdullahi Kiyawa, spokesman of Kano Police Command, said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
“The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
“Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.”
The emirate tussle has continued to linger since the reinstatement of Sanusi and dissolution of the five emirates.
There have been cnflicting court orders for and against
Based on the conflicting orders, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, had summoned the head of the Federal High high Court and Kano Chief Judge.
The Police statement reads,
KANO STATE POLICE COMMAND
31ST MAY, 2024
The Kano State Police Command is hereby advising all residents to disregard the false information circulating on social media that Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero will lead Jumma’t Prayers at Kofar Kudu Central Mosque, Kano.
2. The Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, FIPMA, psc further assured that all necessary security arrangements have been made for Alhaji Aminu Bayero to observe his Jummah Prayers in the Mosque where he lives at the Nasarawa Palace.
3. The CP also assured that the Police and all other state security agencies will provide adequate security at the Palace where Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II is expected to observe his Jumma’at Prayers.
4. Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore the false reports and misinformation circulating on social media and to go about their activities without fear of molestation or intimidation assuring that the Police will continue to provide the necessary security for ensuring that residents observe their Friday congressional prayers peacefully and without threats to their lives and property.
SP ABDULLAHI HARUNA KIYAWA, ANIPR, MNISMA,
POLICE PUBLIC RELATONS OFFICER,
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, KANO STATE COMMAND.
As the royal turbulence continue to shake the foundation of the city of Kano, the ancient city is tension soaked as the two contending Emirs- the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, have indicated their determination to hold Jumaat prayers at the Palace Central Mosque.
A press statement issued Thursday night, signed by Danburan Kano, Munir Sanusi Bayero, spelt out the itinerary of the reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II to the Mosque to lead the Jumaat Prayers.
The statement explained that Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II, who resides in the Palace, and is closer to the contending Mosque, is expected to lead the two rakat Friday prayers.
Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has been leading the Jumaat Prayers at the Palace Central Mosque as the Amir of the City, a statement explained.
The statement by Danburan invited Kano residents to come and listen to the sermon to be delivered by the Emir Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
However, another statement from an aide of the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero invited residents to join him at the Emir’s Palace Friday Mosque to observe the Juma’at prayer.
It stated that the movement to the Emir’s Palace Mosque starts at 12.30 pm.
However, the police are yet to comment on the development.
-
Crime1 year agoPolice nabs Killer of Varsity Lecturer in Niger
-
News1 year agoFCT-IRS tells socialite Aisha Achimugu not to forget to file her annual returns
-
Appointment1 year agoTinubu names El-Rufai, Tope Fasua, others in New appointments
-
News From Kogi1 year agoINEC cancells election in 67 polling units in Ogori-Magongo in Kogi
-
News From Kogi2 years agoEchocho Challenges Tribunal Judgment ordering rerun in 94 polling units
-
News1 year agoIPOB: Simon Ekpa gives reason for seperatists clamour for Biafra
-
Metro12 months ago‘Listing Simon Ekpa among wanted persons by Nigeria military is rascality, intimidation’
-
News1 year agoKingmakers of Igu/ Koton-Karfe dare Bello, urge him to reverse deposition of Ohimege-Igu