Emefiele: US group alleges human rights violation

The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, is currently on trial in Nigeria. The Conference of Nigerian Intellectuals in the United States has accused him of violating human rights.

The group, which has Dr. Philips Idris as its president, denounced the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission's handling of the case against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in a statement released on Monday.
Emefiele's continued detention was characterized by the group as "illegal and fiendish."

In the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja, Emefiele's trial recently got underway. According to reports, witnesses cleared him of any wrongdoing in relation to the awarding of N1.2 billion in vehicle supply contracts during his time at CBN.
"No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile," Idris stated, quoting Article 9 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

He pointed out that governments are required by the International Law of Human Rights to take specific actions or abstain from taking specific actions in order to advance and defend the fundamental freedoms and rights of individuals and groups.
Idris, however, uses Emefiele as evidence to argue that since the new administration took office, there have been repeated violations of the law and a contempt for the liberties and rights of defenseless Nigerians.
"We have watched with concern and indeed, consternation, the relentless persecution of Mr. Godwin Emefiele," the stamen stated in part. Emefiele is being held captive and shackled like a typical Nigerian criminal right now.

"Several court orders had been obtained for his release, but the DSS and the EFCC routinely and blatantly disregarded them. Emefiele is being chased with such ferocity that it appears someone wants him dead.
"His critics are prepared to breach any legal framework and dehumanize him in order to exact revenge for fulfilling his official responsibilities as the governor of CBN.

"He has been deprived of his freedom and fundamental rights in violation of both national and international human rights legislation. "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile," reads Article 9 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.
"His critics are prepared to breach any legal framework and dehumanize him in order to exact revenge for fulfilling his official responsibilities as the governor of CBN.

"He has been deprived of his freedom and fundamental rights in violation of both national and international human rights legislation. "No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile," reads Article 9 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights.
"In the event that this request is ignored, our sister organization will hold a peaceful demonstration in London on Monday of next week, and we will stage one in the USA as well," the group stated.