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The Human and Constitutional Rights Committee of the African Bar Association has registered their displeasure over the ongoing drama between the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria concerning sundry issues allegedly bothering on State security, Corruption and politics.
The body frowns at the way and manner the DSS is handling allegations leveled against the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
According to the central lawyers, the DSS should respect the rule of law and allow justice take its course on the allegations leveled against Emefiele.
Addressing journalist at an event in Lagos, the Chairman of the HRCC, Sonnie Ekwonusi ESq. who spoke on behalf of the central lawyers, noted that not respecting rule of law has got far reaching implications that could hamper democracy.
Continuing, he added that, sacrificing the rule of law and doing things their own way might derail governance in the country and could affect human rights.
Ekwonusi reiterated that the courts are there to interpret laws and settle dispute, saying that the DSS should abide by that tenets.
He noted that the matter at hand is in court and the DSS should allow justice take it course on it.
The lawyer added that the court already ruled that the evidence presented before it is not substantive enough to get the CBN Governor arrested and detained.
He said ‘’While the association would have ordinarily regarded this as a domestic issue involving Nigeria, which can adequately be dealt with by the Local Bar Association and civil process of Law and Human rights which is universal.
‘’Under the Nigerian Law the DSS has power to invite, question and detain any person who it considers have breached state security or is a threat to Nigeria’s security and the CBN is not above the Law
“However, the DSS opted to ask the Federal High Court in Nigeria to hand her the authority to arrest the CBN Governor which the court rejected on the grounds that there was insufficient information amongst others, that ought to put the DSS on it toes that if needed to do more homework or walk the road on her own
‘’We are similarly aware that a civil Society Organization following the steps of the DSS approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria, which ordered that the CBN Governor should not be arrested, questioned or detained until the matter in court is heard and determined .
‘’Our committee believe that all these represents the rule of law at work and must be followed with logical conclusion.
“In conclusion we advise that in this case, the matter is sub-judiced and parties to this controversy must respect the appropriate court orders and stop and acts that will create an impression that there is more to this than the DSS is carrying out her legitimate duties”
However, the AFBA made it clear that it wasn’t holding brief for either of the two parties but only asking that the DSS allow the rule of law and justice take it course on the matter that’s still in the court of law.