Obey Court Order, don’t rearrest Emefiele – Group tells FG
A civil society organisation, Nigeria Citizens Watch for Good Governance, has urged government to respect the rule of law and avoid any attempt to rearrest the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The Chairman of the group, Mallam Ahmed Yahuza Tanimu, made the appeal in a press statement issued to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, while raising concerns over alleged plot to kill Emefiele.
According to Yahuza, the order for the immediate release of Mr. Emefiele by the judiciary is commendable because the era of prolonged and illegal detention by security agencies is over.
He said, “We believe that every individual has the right to a fair trial and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Any form of violence or threat against someone in custody is highly condemnable and goes against the principles of justice and human rights.
“We are also saddened by the revelation of the plan by some Security Agencies to rearrest Dr. Emefiele on Trump-up charges to further suppress his fundamental human rights. We are consoled that with the recent decisions of our courts, those who violate their decisions won’t have where to run to. Therefore, the Judiciary should be on the watch for further disobedience to their order.
“We commend the judiciary for their prompt action in ordering the immediate release of Mr. Emefiele. This decision upholds the fundamental principles of justice and reinforces the significance of respecting the rule of law. We believe that it is crucial to provide every citizen with a fair and transparent legal process, and the judiciary’s intervention demonstrates their commitment to upholding justice in our society.
“While acknowledging the importance of maintaining law and order, we urge security agencies to exercise restraint and caution in their operations. Excessive use of force against civilians can lead to unnecessary harm and violate their rights. We encourage security agencies to focus their efforts on combating banditry and other criminal activities that pose a threat to our nation’s security.
“We strongly condemn the labeling of the bail granted to Mr. Emefiele as scandalous by Sahara Reporters. We believe that responsible journalism plays a critical role in upholding the truth and promoting democratic values.”