Protesters in their hundreds on Wednesday besieged the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) located in the Central Business District demanding the removal of the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele from office.
He called for the resignation of Emefiele, over what he described as his refusal to appear before security officers for questioning.
The protesters carrying placards said the CBN Governor was a threat to national security, demanding that he should resign or be sacked by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The protesters, under the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) and other civil society groups, also said that Emefiele should accept the invitation of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Recall that the DSS recently went to court seeking an order to arrest and detain Emefiele on terrorism charges but the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja dismissed the application.
The court said there was no strong evidence from the DSS to support the allegations in the application.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, the NYCN President, Comrade Solomon Adodo, who led the protesters at the CBN gate, on Wednesday vowed that the group would continue their protests in Abuja and across the country until Emefiele steps down.
Adodo stressed that Emefiele cannot continue to run important institutions like the CBN from abroad.
“And since he did not officially ask for asylum, the NYCN will support him if he has merit, the only other reason that should keep him abroad or away from the office for a long time is to be sick, unless he wants to admit that he is a fugitive from justice” , said Adodo.
Adodo observed that the CBN governor violated Section 11 (2) (a & c) of the CBN Act, and should be removed from office.
According to him, “The witness stated: “The Governor, Deputy Governor or Director shall cease to hold office in the bank if he: (a) becomes unwell or due to illness, unable to perform his duties. ; (c) is guilty of a serious offense in relation to a duty under this Act.
“Anyway, the situation applies to your case and you should be honorable, even for once.
The youths demanded that “Emefiele should start the process of resignation as stated under the CBN Act 2007, or face the National Youth Mass Action, adding that “for those who want to be the President of Nigeria, you should stop embarrassing yourselves and the lofty office of the CBN Governor.
There is tight security in and around the CBN headquarters because of the action.