Emefiele: Hand him over to the EFCC so they may investigate his alleged involvement in economic crimes and money laundering (Falana,

Emefiele: Hand him over to the EFCC so they may investigate his alleged involvement in economic crimes and money laundering (Falana,

Femi Falana, a prominent Nigerian lawyer, urged on Sunday that Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), be transferred to the EFCC for an inquiry into his suspected involvement in economic crimes.

Emefiele was suspended by President Bola Tinubu on Friday night, and he was thereafter taken into custody by the Department of State Service (DSS).

The secret police have been on the CBN governor’s trial for alleged terrorism financing since December last year.

In a statement he signed, the rights activist stressed that the DSS lacks the power to investigate and prosecute Emefiele for alleged money laundering and other economic crimes and demanded his transfer to the EFCC for diligent prosecution.

Falana said: “A few months ago, the State Security Service (SSS) leveled grave allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering, and other economic crimes against Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). At the material time, the attempt by the SSS to arrest, investigate, and prosecute Mr. Emefiele was frustrated by the erstwhile Buhari administration.

“However, following the suspension of Mr. Emefiele as the Governor of the CBN by President Bola Tinubu, the SSS quizzed him in Lagos and flew him to Abuja yesterday (Saturday).

“According to media reports, the investigation of the suspect by the SSS has commenced. Although the SSS, which initially denied the arrest, has since turned around to admit that Mr. Emefiele is in its custody.

“In the case of Dr. Bukola Saraki v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018) 16 NWLR (pt. 1646) 433-434, the Supreme Court ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission lacks the vires to investigate and prosecute the appellant for the breach of the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. It was for that principal reason that Senator Saraki was freed by the apex court.

“In line with the principle of law enunciated by the apex court in Saraki’s case, the SSS lacks the power to investigate and prosecute Mr. Emefiele in respect of allegations of money laundering and other economic crimes.

“Therefore, after investigating the alleged involvement of Mr. Emefiele in terrorism financing, the SSS should transfer him to the EFCC to investigate the allegations of money laundering and allied offenses. Otherwise, the investigation of the case will be bungled by the SSS!”