Human rights lawyer, Prof Chidi Odinkalu and Ikemefuna Ralph-Collins Uzoezie have dragged Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to court over his presidential ambition.
Odinkalu and Uzoezie in their suit brought under the National Industrial Court Rules 2017, the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Central Bank of Nigeria ACT 2007, are seeking to clarify the law’s stance on Mr Emefiele’s political aspiration.
A summons by the duo, said, “Whether by the combined effect of the provisions of sections 1(3) and 9 of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007, the first Respondent is statutorily mandated to devote the whole of his time to his employment with second respondent (as an independent entity) and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not engage in any full or part time employment or vocation which in the context includes participating in party primaries, congresses or other convention for the purposes of nomination of its candidates to the office of the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria or contesting for election for the position of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria scheduled for 25th February 2023, while in the employment of second respondent.”
Among those joined as respondents in the suit are the CBN and attorney general of the federation, Abubakar Malami.
The suit also seeks to clarify whether Mr Emefiele’s public service as CBN governor comes second to his constitutionally protected right to belong to a political party and participate in party activities.
Section 9 of the CBN Act states that “the governor and the deputy governors shall devote the whole of their time to the service of the bank and while holding office shall not engage in any full or part-time employment or vocation whether remunerated or not except such personal or charitable causes as may be determined by the board and which do not detract from their full-time duties.”
Recall that a group of farmers had last week, purchased APC presidential forms for the CBN governor.
Although he initially denied decision to run for president, he would later approach a federal high court in Abuja seeking to be given the nod to contest.