By Kamil Opeyemi
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo says it has no intention to interfere with the investigation of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele by the Department of State Services (DSS).
President Bola Tinubu on Friday approved the suspension of Emefiele and ordered that the apex bank’s Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Folashodun Shonubi takes charge in an acting capacity.
Following his suspension, the DSS on Saturday, disclosed that it has taken Emefiele into custody for “some investigative reasons.”
With reactions to Emefiele’s arrest coming from different quarters, a statement credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and signed by one Chima Uzor, emerged describing Emefiele’s suspension as “ethnic cleansing”.
However, in a statement on Sunday, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said Uzor and his group have no affiliation with Ohanaeze.
“Mazi Chima Uzor is an impersonator and unknown to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. There is no office for national interest matters in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,” the statement reads.
“Ohanaeze has no intention whatsoever to interfere with investigations by the DSS or other security agents of the country.
“Ohanaeze also has no intention whatsoever to interfere with the disciplinary actions by the government on officials of the government.
“Individuals have a right to go to court and when the court of law proves the individual innocent and Ohanaeze is convinced that the individual is innocent, Ohanaeze will take every step necessary to assist the individual.
“In the other hand, if the individual is guilty, the Ohanaeze will be unable to assist.
Iwuanyanwu asked security operatives to arrest Uzor and his co-horts for allegedly impersonating Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“The case of Mazi Chima Uzor is a matter of criminal impersonation. By this disclaimer, we are requesting the security agents to treat this matter as a very serious crime case.
“We wish finally to alert the public on many fraudsters who are tarnishing the good name and reputation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by making false publications in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for selfish interests.
“We hope with the help of security agents, they will soon be flushed out,” it added