An associate of Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has debunked the rumour circulating on social media that Emefiele
An associate of Godwin Emefiele, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has debunked the rumour circulating on social media that Emefiele is deliberately avoiding the committee set up by the speaker of the house of representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The associate, who does not want his name to be mentioned because he was not permitted to comment on the issue, confirmed that Emefiele is seriously ill, adding that he may not return to the country anytime soon.
He said that, “Emefiele has not been feeling fine for some time now but he ignored his doctor’s advice because of his love for the country and commitment to making sure that the nation’s economy is stabilized.
“Until last week when his health condition deteriorated, Emefiele didn’t heed to his doctor’s counsel and never gave himself a break.
“We are talking about health-related issue here, if Emefiele is perfectly okay, he has no logical reason to turn down the summons from the house of representatives.
“He needs to be healthy to serve the country, and everyone knows that health is wealth,” he added.
Recall that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Wednesday, December 21, said that Emefiele, will not appear before the house of representatives on Thursday, December 22.
The apex bank said that Emefiele is currently ill and would not appear before the lawmakers in person.
It added that Emefiele will be represented by the deputy governor, financial system stability, CBN, Aisha Ahmad.
This was made known in a letter sent to the house by the deputy governor, corporate services, CBN, Edward Adamu, on Wednesday, December 21.
After the speaker of the house of assembly, Femi Gbajabiamila, read out Adamu’s letter to members in the middle of Wednesday’s plenary, the lawmakers resolved to accept Emefiele’s representative.
The house, last week, summoned Emefiele to explain the latest policy by CBN which, among others, set limits to cash withdrawals at the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) and other financial institutions.
However, the CBN governor, for the second time, failed to appear before the house on Tuesday.
Amidst protests and condemnation, the lawmakers rescheduled his appearance for Thursday, insisting on suspension of the cash withdrawal limits set by the apex bank.
However, reliable sources claim Emiefele is hale and hearty and only fled Nigeria because of the dark cloud hovering over his safety, the threat by the DSS to arrest him over an alleged link to economic terror financing, and the damning accusations that he is the owner of Union Bank, acquired by Titan Trust Bank, as he is using the TGI owners as a front.
Godwin is using the excuse that he is not feeling fine to stay away from Nigeria for now as he needs to attend to his poor health.
He is only staying away because of DSS until, hopefully, the dark cloud is over and the much anticipated election in February has come and gone.
