CBN Governor Faces Sack Over Arms Probe Deal

The ongoing probe of arms deal under the Goodluck Jonathan administration by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) might cost the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emiefiele, his job. 

A source in the presidency told The Guardian that the recent revelations about movement of the funds, the controversy surrounding his appointment and the CBN governor’s involvement in the unexplained presence of former Bank Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) when President Buhari hosted members of the international business community in London, are being used against him.

The source said:“Already,a small team of legal and financial experts has been directed to weigh the various implications the removal of the CBN chief could trigger, especially to prevent a similar backlash, as when the past government engineered the untimely retirement of former CBN governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.”

The source continued: “One thing you should known about Buhari is that before he takes a crucial decision that involves prominent appointees, he sets up a small committee to investigate the issues and report back to him”

The source also made reference to the former CEOs who showed up at the London meeting, which was said to have made President Buhari upset.

The President was said to have approached the duo, asking them how they were invited, and informing them that he personally handled the selection of who attended.

“Checks revealed the possibility that since the well known bankers added their voices in recommending Emefiele for the CBN job, he (Emefiele) might have hinted the two, convinced their clout would open doors for them.

“There is also information that the current CBN governor is remotely related to the immediate past Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME) in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala,” the source added.

Another source disclosed that the replacement for Emiefiele might be sought from the South East or South South geopolitical zones to avoid outrage and cries of marginalisation by the Buhari government.

The source said: “We cannot speculate on the possible candidates but former President Olusegun Obasanjo is believed to have dropped some hints to President Buhari about the right calibre of persons, including Professor Chukwuma Soludo and Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili.”

Just less than 24-hour after the attempted assassination of chief of army staff,Lt-Gen.  Tukur Buratai, the Nigerian troops have arrested the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, a group propagating the spread of Shi’ite Islam in Nigeria, Ibrahim Elzakzaky, following a raid at his Zaria residence.

According to Premium Times, a top leader of the group, Muhammadu Turi, has disclosed that head of the medical team of the sect, Mustapha Saidu and several others were killed during the operation.

It was learnt that the Nigerian army and members had been trading blames on who first fired the first shot that led to the death of members of the sect on Saturday, December 12.

On the part of the army, the Shi’ite followers allegedly made attempt on the life of Buratai, an allegation that has been reportedly dismissed by the sect stating that the troops actually decided to attack ‘defenseless people’.

It was also learnt that soldiers that storm the residence of the leader of the sect throughout the night as heavy shootings and sounds of explosions were heard in the area around Sokoto road, where Hussainiyya stayed.

People around the area explained that armoured tanks were seen demolishing the Hussainiyya shrine and the residence of the leader of the sect.

Also, a source at the military hospital in Chindit Barracks Depot of the Nigerian army in Zaria said  that 19 bodies  were received after the raid.

Recal that the Shiite sect on the orders of their leader, Alzak-zaky, had attacked the convoy of Buratai in Kaduna state.

According to the official statement, made by Colonel Sani Usman, the director of army public relations, the attack took place while Buratai was on his way to pay homage on the Emir of Zazzau and attend the Passing Out Parade of 73 Regular Recruits Intake of Depot Nigerian Army in Zaria.

Nigeria army chief escapes 'assassination attempt'

Military says Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai's convoy was attacked by Shia militants on Saturday; eyewitnesses dispute claims

At least six people are thought to have been killed on Saturday in northern Nigeria, with the military claiming there was an attempted assassination of the country’s chief-of-staff.

A Nigerian army spokesman accused the Islamic Movement of a "deliberate assassination" attempt of army chief Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai in Zaria city.

The army said hundreds of people laid roadblocks, with Shia gunmen opening fire on a convoy carrying the senior officer.

Buratai escaped the incident, in which the army said it acted within its “Rules of Engagement and Code of Conduct".

However, the Shia group disputed the army’s version of events. It described an "unprovoked siege" on its headquarters by troops and called the assassination claim an afterthought and a "blatant lie".

"The attack on the defenseless people by the Nigerian soldiers [was] unprovoked," the movement said in a statement on its website.

Although the movement did not confirm the six purported deaths, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that the security forces had opened fire on the group’s headquarters.

"Six members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria were killed at the Hussainiyah area when soldiers laid siege on their headquarters. This later led to serious protest and confusion in Zaria," said Abubakar Sidi, a resident of Hussainiyah, claimed, adding that nine other people had been injured.

Another resident, Tolhat Umar, said soldiers had been seeking a Shia leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky, but met with resistance.

“There was argument and then shooting by both sides. At the last count, six Shiite members died," Umar claimed.

The army and the Shia community have had a long-running dispute dating back to 1979.

Last year, at least 33 Shia Muslims were gunned down by soldiers in Zaria during an encounter, after which both sides gave contradictory accounts.

Earlier this month, dozens died in a suicide attack on a Shia procession near northwestern Kano city. Shia spokespersons later claimed it had been masterminded by the army.