CAN Reveals Those Behind Plot To Arrest CBN Governor, Emefiele

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State has expressed concern over the plot to arrest the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Naija News had reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja declined an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest Emefiele over terrorism charges.

However, there are claims that the move to arrest Emefiele might be political given the impact the redesign of the naira and cash withdrawal limit might have on vote buying in the 2023 elections.

But in a statement on Tuesday, the CAN Chairman in Kaduna, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, said some politicians are behind the plot to arrest Emefile over the policies on naira redesign and the new cash withdrawal limits.

Hayab stated that the move to arrest and detain Emefiele was a ploy to derail the apex bank from achieving the implementation of its new policy.

He said those against Emefiele were bent on disrupting a policy that was capable of addressing the issue of ransom payment in Kaduna and other Northern states.

The CAN Chairman in Kaduna, therefore, warned that nothing must happen to the CBN governor.

The statement reads: “We are concerned that what should be a monetary policy has become a tool for some politicians to pick a fight with the Governor of the Central Bank and his board. Why would a spokesman of a political party be releasing a statement encouraging the DSS to go after the CBN Governor?

“That shows that this is a case of the voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau. Surely, every right-thinking Nigerian knows that politicians had stockpiled huge sums of cash in order to manipulate the 2023 elections.

“Indeed, we saw the image on a blackboard behind the son of a prominent politician where the words ‘monetary inducement’ was boldly written. Therefore, we are of the considered view that the attempt to intimidate the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria into abandoning program of redesigning the naira and the new ATM limits is at the behest of politicians whose election strategy is based on money inducement.

“We, therefore, warned that nothing must happen to the CBN governor, and Nigerians would also want to know why the arrogant and aggressive actions against the CBN’s new monetary policy, and what is the secret behind this hidden agenda.

“Section 1 (3) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007, provides that “The Bank shall be an independent body.”

“We remind all and sundry that the international community is watching this unfolding artificial crisis and is not fooled by the positioning of those who want to frustrate this patriotic policy. No one should take the silence and patience of Nigerians for granted. Nigerians have suffered enough.”