Emefiele being Persecuted – Arewa Youths

A Socio Cultural group, Arewa Youth group, has stated that the admittance of the prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the trial of immediate past Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, that he demanded and received bribes from contractors, is evidence that Emefiele is being persecuted and witch-hunted.

The witness, a retired Director in the IT Department of CBN, Mr John Ayoh, made the admittance under cross examination by Emefiele’s lawyer, Mr Olalekan Ojo, SAN on Thursday.

Emefiele is standing trial on a 23-count charge of abuse of office and fraud to the tune of $4.5 billion and N2.8 billion. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was admitted to bail to enable him adequately defend the charges

Ayoh admitted that he demanded and received a bribe from Mr. Victor Onyejuiwa. He was, however, unable to explain or connect Mr. Emefiele with the bribery activities.

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Reacting, Arewa Youth leader, Comrade Isa Galadima in a statement said the revelations from court sitting on Thursday, is proof of what they have been saying, which is that the former apex bank governor is being persecuted and witch-hunted over allegations he’s innocent of.

The group therefore called for the case to discontinued and Emefiele freed.

The group said, “The admittance of the prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the trial of immediate past Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele, that he demanded and received bribes from contractors, is evidence that Emefiele is being persecuted and witch-hunted.

“We knew for months and have been appealed for this case to be discontinued. Emefiele is innocent, this a clear witch hunt. The relentless persecution, faceless allegations, this matter is gradually becoming the greatest political witch-hunt in Nigeria’s history. We appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the security agencies to discontinue this case and free an innocent man.”