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Emefiele: group backs DSS, challenges detractors

Aminu Abdullahi

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations known as the Patriots Network Nigeria (TPN) and the Citizens Stability Forum (CSF), have backed the Department of State Services (DSS) in its efforts towards investigation allegations of economic and financial crimes against the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
KANO FOCUS reports that the convener of the group Muktar Lawal CSF and co-convener Moses Sheson TPN registered their support to State Security Service at a Press Conference held on Monday.
They noted that the recent happenings resulting from the move made by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and question the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, are currently taking an unfortunate dimension.
The group noted that the DSS are accusing the CBN governor of economic and financial crimes of national security dimension and have even filed an ex-parte motion at the high court in Abuja for his arrest over these accusations.

Mukhtar Lawal
It however decried the evasion of arrest by the Governor of the CBN and the activities of detractors who are hellbent on smearing the reputation of the Director General of the DSS, Yusuf Bichi.
”It is known that the DSS are accusing the CBN governor over accusations of economic and financial crimes of national security dimension and have even filed an ex-parte motion at the high court in Abuja for his arrest over these accusations.
“However, while the sitting judge declined the ex-parte motion filed, he mentioned that if the DSS believes that the evidence available to it so far is sufficient, then it has the jurisdiction to arrest and detain the applicant, even without the order of the court.
“While all this is ongoing, the Mr Emefiele was alerted of the plans by DSS to arrest him and hurriedly left the country to avoid arrest, which only indicates his unwillingness to answer and address the accusation surrounding him.
“Unfortunately, as reported by Sahara Reporters, some disgruntle elements from outside the government and as well as influential politicians who are very close to the presidency, and who have been hugely benefitting from Godwin Emefiele activities at CBN through receiving all sort of contracts and financial favours are fighting back on his behalf.
“It was found that the above the described elements are using their influence inside the presidency as well as using proxies (by sponsoring protest by selfish civil society groups and attacks from media outlets) to fight the DSS particularly with the aim to smear the name and efforts of its Director-General, Yusuf Bichi, and some of the service’s key officials of the DSS. These selfish politicians have shown to have no regards to the rule of law, nor do they care about the general security of the country.
“It is important that Nigerians ask the following important questions – What is preventing Emefiele from allowing the investigation by DSS? Why are powerful people who are known to be selfish and corrupt supporting Emefiele and shielding him away from the investigation?
“If Emefiele believe he is not guilty and he can prove that over the course of the investigation that will be huge win for his image in this country. And we all know that he will never go down unjustifiably, he can afford the best lawyers in this country, also his cohorts and friends will ensure that he get justice.
“But it is clear to Nigerians that the CBN governor and cohorts are trying hard to scuttle the investigation, for them it is not a matter of justice or proving innocence but a matter of LEAVE HIM ALONE irrespective of what he has done wrong. It is important for this Buhari led administration to know that while it have made a lot of progress in fighting corruption and insecurity, however, if this case is allowed to be swept under the carpet. it has the tendency of reversing all gains made by this government.
“It is also very important for citizens of our country to understand that we cannot afford to allow people in power to act and behave recklessly, mismanage our resources, abuse their office, and still get away with it, just because they are being shielded by the power surrounding them.
“We cannot have a country where only the poor and powerless are subjected to the rule of law whereas those in power and their cohorts are not. And worst of all is when these enemies of progress use the illiteracy and hunger of some of our citizens to deceive them into fighting their selfish war against the very people that protect the interest of this country.
“Every Nigerian should be grateful to the DSS and its Director General, Mr Bichi due to their efforts in taming the monstrous insecurity facing this nation. Since the coming in of Mr Bichi, the DSS has been nothing but excellent playing its role diligently, gathering security intelligence and fighting so much security threats a lot of which most the public are not even aware of.
“We all know that DSS is saddled with critical functions of prevention and detection of any crime/terrorism against the internal security of Nigeria and provision of timely advice to Government on all matters of National security interest among other. So why will their investigation on the CBN governor be an exception just because of the interest of selfish elements. Nigerians need to understand that if the accusations against Emefiele are true and the DSS are prevented from carrying out their constitutional duty on the matter, the cost of this will be enormous capable of bringing this country on its knees, emboldening terrorist sponsors and worse demoralizing our security agencies and personnel.”
The group urged Nigerians not to allow politicians and selfish elements to turn them against the very institution that protect their security interest and enemies of the country.
Clash between NNPP governorship candidate and Mrs Bichi is a plan to tarnish DSS boss image
Lawal also described clash between the Gubernatorial candidate of NNPP in Kano and the wife of Director general Department of State Services, as a purported plan aimed at tarnishing the image of DSS boss.
He explained that, some detractors of DSS boss use media to speculate what happened instead of resolving the situation amicably.
“In the past few weeks, there have been media reports on the purported clash between the entourage of Mrs. Bichi and that of NNPP gubernatorial candidate in Kano state, an unfortunate situation that can be resolve through consultation and or filing of official complain for any wrong doing committed by either of the party to appropriate authority for redress.
He explained that, the detractors that are busy to destablize the arrest CBN governor are the same detractors and vested interests are now resorting to all sorts of blackmail, sponsoring articles and concocted comments on social media targeted at tainting Mr. Bichi’s image and his leadership.
“Apparently, those behind the sponsored negative reports are afraid of Mr. Bichi’s commitment and resilience to serving Nigeria. But they must understand that he cannot be blackmailed or intimidated any way. Mr. Bichi has not embarked on any mission aimed at threatening any other individual, lowly or highly placed in the society.
The forum then called on Nigerians to stand in solidarity and talk with one voice to support the DSS and its official, and caution the detractors and persuade presidency from interfering or stopping such critical security investigation.

Headlines
Anti-corruptions Day: PCACC launches mobile app to fight corruption

Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, PCACC, has launched a mobile application, developed for receiving information from whistle-blowers.
KANO FOCUS reports that the application, ‘Shawarata’ was launched at the commemoration ceremony of International Anti-corruption Day, held at Coronation Hall, Kano state government house on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Commission, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin-Gado, said the application was part of the agency’s resolve to employ technology to check the excesses of corrupt practices in the state.
Rimin-Gado said the event was a strategy to enlighten the public on the dangers of corruption, which according to him, has negatively affected all strata of development in the country.

“Part of our resolve to strengthen the fight against corruption and check the excesses of corrupt practices in the state is the introduction of technology by our agency.
“This is why we have developed a mobile app for receiving opinions, views, and suggestions from members of the public.
“This event is key to the fight against corruption as it enlightens the public about the dangers of corruption. Corruption has affected all strata of development,” he said.
In his presentation, Sadiq Yaya, PCACC’s Head of ICT, said the app is a platform where information could be received from members of the public.
According to him, the platform contains features to upload videos and pictures by a user, adding that it is user-friendly and fast.
He explained that the platform had also provided a feature to keep information providers anonymous by providing options for the anonymity of the user.
Yaya disclosed that the app has recorded 20 downloads so far, urging the general public to download it to provide suggestions, opinions, and other information to the commission.
In his remarks, the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf said his administration had zero tolerance for corruption, which is why it had soft far recorded some giant strides.
According to Yusuf, represented by his deputy, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam, the state government has recorded achievements so far as a result of blocking leakages since the inception of the administration.
He explained that the administration has resumed payment of salaries to civil servants without illegal deductions as it was done by the immediate past government.
He added that public properties illegally acquired by individuals in the immediate past government have been recovered and put to public use, citing Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital.
He said the government had also prioritized the creation of Anti-Corruption units in government agencies.
Governor Yusuf described the Kano anti-graft agency as “one of the best, if not the best in the country”.

Headlines
How we saved billions of public funds by blocking leakages – Gov Yusuf

Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has said that it has blocked leakages and fraudulent siphons of the public treasury, saying in just a few months in office, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has saved billions of Naira.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Government alluded that hundreds of leakages had led to the misuse of public funds by those in authority, while institutions, government offices, and the general well-being of the public suffered neglect.
Delivering an address at the commemoration of the 2023 International Anti-Corruption Day, Saturday, hosted by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), the State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo says the government has zero tolerance for corruption.
The Deputy Governor, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf at the event, explained that some of the giant strides taken by the state government towards ensuring a better life for the people of the state are evidence of the fact that it does not tolerate corruption.

He explained that the regime has resumed payment of salaries to civil servants without unnecessary deductions introduced by the immediate past regime.
He added that public properties illegally acquired by individuals in the immediate past regime have been recovered and put to public use, giving an example of the Hasiya Bayero Paediatric Hospital.
He said the government has also prioritized the creation of Anti-Corruption units in government agencies while ensuring it pays pensions and gratuities of retirees neglected by the immediate past regime worth N6 billion.
In his opening address, the chairman of the Kano anti-graft agency, Muhyi Magaji Rimingado described the agency as the most vibrant subnational anti-graft agency in the country.
Muhyi Rimin Gado hints that as of today the State Anti Graft office has become a source of inspiration with many other State Governors seeking technical advice on how to create and sustain their own.
He explained that the day is commemorated with the view of mobilizing the public towards fighting corruption.

Headlines
Kano guber tussle: Tinubu, APC using judiciary to destabilise the northern commercial center, Arewa coalition

Aminu Abdullahi
A pan Arewa movement known as Northern Coalition Youths Movement Initiative (NYMI) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led administration and the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) of an hidden agenda to destabilize the Northern commercial nerve center in order to weaken the economy of the region.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was disclosed in an elaborate world press conference at Arewa House in Kaduna state on Saturday.

The secretary general of the movement, Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed Inuwa, pointed to series of moves being made by the government to undermine the region using judiciary to subvert the people’s mandate in Kano, Plateau and Zamfara.
He said, in recent times, they have observed with dismay, how the much esteemed judiciary has become the lapdog to the executive arm of government which they said is expected to check as an independent entity.
“Gone are the days when judges dish out logical judgments that are acceptable to the litigants in any disputes. It is however sad that the administration of Pres. Bola Tinubu and APC has resorted to using the judiciary to snatch what it has lost at the ballot.
“Under the APC, the votes of the people no longer count, this is because the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has become an extended part of the ruling party. In a bid to do the bidding of the APC.
“Judiciary has now become the rubber stamp to the massive scale of electoral robbery in the country. Where the INEC fails to award victories to APC candidate, the same courts are the avenue where the victories of the opposition parties are now only arrested but also stolen and given to the APC.
“Nigerians are living witnesses to what is going on in the Court of Appeal with respect to the governorship poll in Kano, Plateau and Zamfara States where the opposition parties have won the state at the ballot box and the attempt by the Federal Government to snatch these states from the winning political parties.
“What is even more embarrassing is the case of Kano where the Court of Appeal is still finding it hard to defend its verdict on the election which many have come to see as very ignoble and horrible. The fact that the verdict is tainted was further shown aa the NNPP try to secure the certified true copy of the judgment revealed the underhand dealings that must have happened with the document revealing contradictory outcomes.
While some paragraphs upheld the election of Gov Abba Kabir Yusuf of the NNPP as duly elected.
“The embarrassment created by the nasty scenario is yet to abate as we address you as the action has further put the judiciary in the negative spot in the minds of right thinking Nigerians who have lost faith in that vital arm of the government.
“The most laughable verdict also is the issue of internal affairs of each political parties which is clearly enshrined in our electoral act and which the supreme court has long settled, yet that is the issue the same judiciary is using to upturn Kano’s mandates which was freely given to NNPP”,
The coalition accused the Tinubu’s government of waging war against leading political lights from the region in a bid to destroy or whittle down their relevance before the poll.
He said the coalition has been monitoring the development for some time, he however urged leaders in the North to live up to their responsibility of protecting the interest of their region.
He added “We wish to draw the attention of the people of the North to an ongoing sinister plot by Pres. Tinubu and the ruling All progressives Congress APC to politically decimate the North and render it impotent ahead of the forthcoming 2027 general election.
“The coalition lamented the fate of the immediate past Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i in the hands of the current government despite the support it gave to President Bola Tinubu during the electioneering campaign.
“One individual whose support and assistance to the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the former Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i who worked on his colleagues in the North to sway victory for President Tinubu.
“What did he get in return? The former governor was rubbished by the government when his nomination was rejected by the Senate during confirmation allegedly on spurious claims of not scaling security screening,” the group wrote.
They also listed those who have been humiliated by the current government include, Senators Danjuma Goje, Abdulazeez Yari.
The statement further reads that “The former Zamfara State Governor was subsequently rubbish by the government when he tried to become the Senate President of the country. He was hounded and cowed to submission by the agents of the government and the state.”
Not done, they added that “Another Northerner who has also been humiliated since coming into being of this governmen
