EXCLUSIVE: intensifies threats ahead of January 9 vacation deadline

Governor Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria has concluded plans to seek refugee status in the United Kingdom over developing threats to his position and personal safety from the State Security Service, Peoples Gazette was told by people familiar with the decision.

“Since it is now looking impossible for him to return to Nigeria, the next move is to file for asylum in the UK,” a source said under anonymity to discuss the matter with The Gazette. “The UK is his first option for asylum, but he has not ruled out the United States, either.”

The Gazette confirmed that Mr Emefiele departed London on December 26 for the United States, where he remained as of Friday morning. It was unclear when he planned to return to the UK, but his strong family ties to Britain were said to be behind his decision to pursue asylum there. He has been afraid that things could grow more complicated for him should he delay his asylum application and risk being declared wanted by the SSS with extradition requests to his shelter countries.

The Gazette was informed that the ongoing threats against Mr Emefiele have been the most potent he has faced yet as CBN governor. He resumed the job in June 2014.

Mr Emefiele has been weighing his options from abroad, where he has been forced to tarry amidst raging intrigues to rope him as a financier of terrorism, The Gazette learnt. The CBN governor left Nigeria between December 9 and 10, according to people familiar with his schedules, and appeared with President Muhammadu Buhari during a publicised Washington trip that ended on December 17.

Prior to the trip, Mr Emefiele had received presidential approval to proceed on vacation until January 9, 2023, according to internal conversation obtained by The Gazette. That date is now seen as the most crucial for the CBN governor and even the president himself, our sources said.

“January 9 to 10 will be the most critical period for everyone involved in this matter,” another source familiar with the matter said. “It is the date that the governor must be at his desk; the date that the president will have to take a decision if the governor fails to show up at the office.”

“So that is why I said it is an important day for both the governor and the president,” the source said.

Yet, Mr Emefiele continues to hold that only the president holds the power to make all the threats disappear overnight.

“The governor is absolutely sure that only the president can call everyone behind this senseless assault to order,” the second source added.

While Mr Emefiele would be willing to return to Nigeria if the president could offer protection from state goons at the SSS, only one manner of such guarantees can bring outright security that the CBN chief prefers.

“The president has to intervene and intervene publicly,”. “It is only if he intervenes publicly that the governor can be assured of his safety and economic stability can be restored.”

“Even if the SSS DG calls the governor and assures him he won’t be arrested, it won’t be enough,” the official said. “But either a public announcement of the SSS or, preferably, the president that the governor will not be arrested can be taken seriously.”

A spokesman for the president did not return a request seeking comments about whether or how Mr Emefiele might be assured of his safety in Nigeria. The SSS was unavailable for comments.

To support his asylum, Mr Emefiele would rely on the December 13 court order that rubbished the SSS allegations and effectively declared him a victim on a hatch job, The Gazette learnt.

“It is my respectful opinion that the ipse dixit of the applicant, standing on its own, is not sufficient evidence upon which to deprive a person of his liberty,” Justice John Tsoho of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court said in the judgement. The SSS had brought the allegations to obtain a warrant against Mr Emefiele ex-parte — a judicial process that allows a judge to grant an order after hearing from one party. It is usually temporary.

“The court had only listened to the SSS version of the allegations and still dismissed everything as lacking any shred of evidence,” the second source said. “Now imagine what would happen if the governor is allowed to make his own case.”

Prior to the latest crises, which have blunted the capital markets, Mr Emefiele had long been seen as an influential figure in the current administration. He has helped the government to manage prolonged financial distress and stave off a stark collapse of the nation’s economy, officials said.

But his recent decisions to redesign the national currency and significantly limit cash withdrawals have been traced to his open involvement in partisan politics in defiance of extant federal regulations.

He made moves to seek presidential nomination earlier this year, but backed down after the president ordered all federal officials with political ambitions to step down from office.

Politicians nationwide were said to have stockpiled cash which they intended to deploy for voter inducement. But with Mr Emefiele’s decision to phase out major currencies in circulation by January 31, 2023, politicians will find it more difficult to successfully find the cash to bribe voters at the ballot box.

Mr Emefiele was widely criticised when he introduced the policy in October, and followed it with another controversial measure that sought to limit cash withdrawals to N100, 000 per week for Nigerians.

The CBN said more than 80 percent of the country’s currency in circulation could not be traced, but critics said the move was an attempt to loot public funds through contract awards for printing new notes.

Mr Emefiele denied the allegations, saying monitoring currency in circulation and limiting cash withdrawals would bolster the country’s economy because most transactions would be conducted through electronic channels that would make them traceable and taxable.

https://gazettengr.com/exclusive-godwin-emefiele-to-seek-asylum-in-uk-as-sss-intensifies-threats-ahead-of-january-9-vacation-deadline/

Nlfpmod Mynd44

Buhari should replace Emefiele with immediate effect.

My grandfather once told me; Dont start a war you cant finish.

Emefiele woke up one day and decided to start a political war just because he was refused a presidential ticket. He rode on Buhari's ignorance and non-challantness and start throwing financial policies here and there to fight political war, targeted at some specific people.

Well, he used the weapons he had. He exhausted all in one launch . He shouldnt be crying foul now when his opponents are also using their own weapon they have in stock.

It is a fair fight to me. It is too early to cry for help.

Dude has been busted!

No way he wont make jail!

Went to second Nigeria to seek asylum It wont be difficult for the FG to get him back to Nigeria!


Seems dude forgot UK is Nigeria`s slave master!

This Godwin Emefiele case have really assumed a dangerous proportion because there are questions that needs to be asked.

-1).Who authorised the DSS to have Mr Emefiele arrested that they have been trailing to arrest him for the pass weeks?

-2).If Mr President authorised his arrest, then why is there no arrest warrant published in the media, or copies sent to the DSS, NPF, NFIU, to affirm this decision?

-3). If in the absence of any of 1 or 2 above, then it simply means that the presidency cabal have taken up a dangerous power game in usurping the powers of the President. This is because the CBN governor is a sole appointee and answerable to the president.

Emefiele is going no where, look at them up there happy and begging Buhari to change him, you guys spent 7 years supporting Emefiele to punish Nigerians, now his policy is not favouring Tinubu's vote buying plan, you guys want him out.

Emefiele till 2023

According to a source, he faces no threat of detention.

Racoon:
This Godwin Emefiele case have really assumed a dangerous proportion

Yeah, those modafukas parading themselves as politicians are really out to get him...by the way look at those zombies above you masturbating away their sense as usual.

lhordspy:
My grandfather once told me; Dont start a war you cant finish.

Emefiele woke up and decided to start a political war just because he was refused a presidential ticket. He rode on Buhari's ignorance and non-challantness and start throwing financial policies here and there to fight political war, targeted at some specific people.

Well, he used the weapons he had. He exhausted all in one launch . He shouldnt be crying fowl now when his opponents are also using their own weapon they have in stock.

It is a fair fight to me.

How are we even sure he was actually contesting?? What if the same ppl who want him out were the ones behind his purported Presidential interest?

Brendaniel:
Emefiele is going no where, look at them up there happy and begging Buhari to change him.

You guys spent 7 years supporting Emefiele to punish Nigerians, now his policy is not favouring Tinubu's vote buying plan, you guys want him out.Emefiele till 2023

You mind these idiots? The CBN governor is the most clueless and incompetent ever seen who brazenly abused his office in purchasing form to contest the APC presidential primary while still on seat. Yet the same DSS never said anything or make a move.Currency change came and suddenly they wants to skin him alive.

worst Regime in the History of Nigeria! Imagine a CBN governor running away from his country and duties! It was never this bad. Buhari sent away the likes of Ngozi iweala and appointed men that are less intelligent than him! Tinubu is going to be Buhari pro max!

These desperate politicians will not rest.

When they wine and dine together, they wont involve NIGERIANS, but when the table turn against them, they wil start acting as if NIGERIA is their priority, and truly, NIGERIANS always fall for their gimmicks, WATCH AS NIGERIANS WILL START ANALYSING THE ISSUE, ALONG ETHNIC LINES, TRIBAL LINES, RELIGION LINES AND POLITICAL LINES.. The elites knows how to fool nigerians..
I.O.T

He is a spoiler for Tinubu.
Obi is the next president of Nigeria.

Nbote:


How are we even sure he was actually contesting?? What if the same ppl who want him out were the ones behind his purported Presidential interest?

Lol. Who want him out? I mean Emefiele is the least political threat on this planet earth. Why should someone waste time on him... Scheming for his fall, by trying to start war with him.

It doesn't make sense.

lhordspy:
..Emefiele woke up and decided to start a political war just because he was refused a presidential ticket. He rode on Buhari's ignorance and non-challantness and start throwing financial policies here and there to fight political war, targeted at some specific people.

Do you know the implication of this your statement is that it simply affirms the long held conviction that the APC under President Muhammadu Buhari remains clueless, inept and incompetent that have no basis being in govt? Buhari is not in charge.

Meanwhile, the "specific people" being targeted by Emefiele financia policy obvious includes your bullion vans criminal that was seen shamelessly ferrying voter bribe cash on the eve of a crucial presidential election

oshozondii:
EXCLUSIVE: intensifies threats ahead of January 9 vacation deadline



https://gazettengr.com/exclusive-godwin-emefiele-to-seek-asylum-in-uk-as-sss-intensifies-threats-ahead-of-january-9-vacation-deadline/

Nlfpmod Mynd44

Na wa ooo
Peter come and do better.
Nigerians need sanity in this country.

lhordspy:


Lol. Who want him out? I mean Emefiele is the least political threat on this planet earth. Why should someone waste time on him... Scheming for his fall, by trying to start war with him.

It doesn't make sense.

Haven't you wondered why despite all supposed misgivings especially with his supposed presidential interest, the President is yet to fire or criticise him.

Nbote:


Haven't you wondered why despite all supposed misgivings especially with his supposed presidential interest, the President is yet to fire or criticise him.

I addressed that in my initial opinion. Did you miss it?

Brendaniel:
Emefiele is going no where, look at them up there happy and begging Buhari to change him, you guys spent 7 years supporting Emefiele to punish Nigerians, now his policy is not favouring Tinubu's vote buying plan, you guys want him out.

Emefiele till 2023

look at idiotic pigs.
Nobody ever supported emefuele.
Is buhari sole decision.
Emefuele is the reason buhari govt fails

lhordspy:


I addressed that in my initial opinion. Did you miss it?

What didn't make sense at all was his supposed interest in contesting for Presidency while still sitting as d CBN governor

All I know it's a losing Game for Tinubu and Atiku.

lhordspy:
My grandfather once told me; Dont start a war you cant finish.

Emefiele woke up one day and decided to start a political war just because he was refused a presidential ticket. He rode on Buhari's ignorance and non-challantness and start throwing financial policies here and there to fight political war, targeted at some specific people.

Well, he used the weapons he had. He exhausted all in one launch . He shouldnt be crying foul now when his opponents are also using their own weapon they have in stock.

It is a fair fight to me. It is too early to cry for help.

At least you are honest about what this is all about.

Modibbo55:
worst Regime in the History of Nigeria! Imagine a CBN governor running away from his country and duties! It was never this bad. Buhari sent away the likes of Ngozi iweala and appointed men that are less intelligent than him! Tinubu is going to be Buhari pro max!

idiotic pigs knows that tinubu is the best when it comes to appointing intelligent people

Nbote:


What didn't make sense at all was his supposed interest in contesting for Presidency while still sitting as d CBN governor

Welcome to the world of black men.

I think you should spend your time, maybe a little in the poultry. You will see chickens with small wings, trying to fly a distance like an eagle.

This may be karma at work. He should go and apologize to the AbokiFX guy.

What in Gods name is the NASS waiting for to impeach Emefile ?

buhariguy:
look at idiotic pigs.
Nobody ever supported emefuele.
Is buhari sole decision.
Emefuele is the reason buhari govt fails

Typical Tinubu supporter, blame everybody except themselves, then insult anybody who tells them the truth...

Good riddance

We warned him but he wouldn't listen.
Jagaban is coming

Buhari's tenure will soon end and the cabals using emefiele for their selfish interests r becoming powerless......they lost it the day tinubu won APC primary despite manipulating the chairman to announce their preferred candidate

Emefiele will be dealt with at the right time, naira has been highly humiliated against the dollar, he has destroyed the banking system and using billions of dollars to print the stupid new naira note......