When erstwhile President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office on May 29, 2015, one of the things he first did was go after members of the Goodluck Jonathan administration, with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Sambo Dasuki, feeling the heat of Buhari’s venom.
The initial arrest of Dasuki was met with accolades for Buhari, especially on the media trial of the $2.1bn meant from the purchase of arms.
One of the early things President Bola Tinubu has done since assuming office was to announce the immediate suspension of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele was subsequently arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS). For an ardent follower of the political intrigues that dominate Nigeria’s politics, one need not be a soothsayer to predict that Emefiele is in for a long ride. This is the beginning of the end for him.
In any democratic society, the rule of law stands as the bedrock of justice and equality. It ensures that no one, regardless of their position or influence, is above the law. Presently, Nigeria finds itself at a crossroads, as the case of detained Emefiele, tests the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to upholding the rule of law. It is essential to address the pressing need for President Tinubu to embrace the principles of fairness, transparency, and justice in handling this case, not only for the sake of Emefiele’s rights but also to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
Forgetting the many failed policies of the Buhari administration, which had Emefiele as the face, one can easily point to the ill-thought-out Naira redesign policy months before the 2023 general elections as his fatal sin against Tinubu. The timing was so wrong that protests broke out across the country as Nigerians who had money stuck in banks couldn’t access their funds – throwing different spanners in the wheel of Asiwaju’s stride to the presidency.
Godwin Emiefele’s Continued Detention: A Litmus Test For Bola Tinubu
The obvious was so plain that Tinubu addressed the failed naira redesign policy at a presidential rally in Ogun State, Abeokuta. For him, that was an unforgivable sin and an attempt that would have stopped him from achieving his life-long dream.
So, as the case against Godwin Emefiele unfolds, it is crucial that President Tinubu ensures a fair and impartial legal process. This means affording Emefiele the right to a robust defence, allowing him to present evidence and witnesses in his favour. By adhering to due process, President Tinubu would reinforce the principle that no individual should be arbitrarily detained or subjected to unfair treatment.
By adhering to the rule of law, President Tinubu would reinforce Nigeria’s democratic values, safeguard the rights of individuals, and set a standard for future leaders to follow.
