Reports By Sani Idris, Kaduna

The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups (CACSG), has restated their call for the removal of Prof. Kabir Muhammad, the DG of Nigerian Institute of Leather and Science Techology (NILEST), Zaria.

The Spokes Person of the Coalition, Cmrd. Abbas Aminu, restated their call for removal of the NILEST DG in a statement issued to press men on Tuesday in Kaduna.

He alleged that the leadership of the DG at the helms of affairs of the institute has failed in harnessing the potentials of the leather industry with the wealth of human and material resources available at his disposal.

He noted that while they would not join words with a public analyst and freedom writer who possed in defense of NILEST DG, it was important for them to address it in order not to allow falsehood thrive.

"We being a civil society organizations in Northern Nigeria are poised with the interest of the people of the North, welfare of the downtrodden, development of the region, and empowerment of the youths in the region.

"In recent times we have commented on issues of nation interest and development. Hence, we have commended and appreciated leaders whose leadership disposition and acumen are exemplary and distinct, in the same vain we will not leave out those who have displayed gross failure irrespective of their affiliation or political leaning,"Aminu said.

Aminu therefore said as a research and training institute, the NILEST DG couldn't periodically organize training for young men and women for self reliance in the leather industry in a bid to curb unemployment in the North and the nation at large.

"How many staff have gone for training since his assumption to the exalted office of the DG?

"These are many other sundry issues were what we raised and instead of the "halleluyah data boy" to respond and address the issues we raised against his pay master, he is busy attacking our personality and organisation.

"For the avoidance of doubt, the institute belongs to every Nigerian and our constituents form the demography of those in the institute, when has it become an offence to ask questions and demand that things be done appropriately?

"We are sure the acclaimed freedom fighter doesn't expect the staff and students in the college to openly speak up against the many ills happening in the college for fear of victimization as the DG sees himself as a demi god of the institute.

"We expected the DG or the institute to respond or reply our noble association with fact and figures in regards to we raised against him and not one Auwal Ibrahim who is a self appointed spokes person of the DG to run to the media to issue some words that doesn't hold water,"Abbas lamented.

He noted that the CACSG as an organisation were not in contention with the NILEST DG's personal achievements and position as a professor.

"What we are concerned about is the application of this experience and knowledge as he claim to the development of NILEST and North as a public officer.

Aminu wondered why the DG, being a professor of textile science and technology, is failing to handle and project the leather research institute to lofty heights.

"No doubt there is a clear distinction between the leather and textile industry,"he said.

Abbas further, therefore called on ICPC and EFCC to frize and investigate the account of the NILEST and the DG to tell Nigerians the total number of Youth the institute has trained under his headship.

He also urged the Government to immidatly replace the NILEST DG with someone with technical know-how and network to annest the potential in the institute.

News Local

Terrorism financing: Court protects CBN Governor Emefiele from DSS arrest

IMA ELIJAH

December 20, 2022 6:55 AM

... the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political given the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the 2023 elections...

CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. [guardian]

A federal high court sitting in Abuja has declined an application by the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and detain Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

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Why the court stopped the arrest of CBN Governor: In declining the motion ex parte — filed by an applicant in the absence of the respondent — Justice J.T Tsoho, the chief judge, said the secret police did not provide any concrete evidence to substantiate its claims that Emefiele was involved in terrorism financing and economic crimes.

“The honourable judge also wondered why the name of the respondent was given simply as ‘Godwin Emefiele’ without a material disclosure that he is the same person as the CBN governor, a highly ranking public official who occupies an extremely sensitive position,” the source stated.

A strong reason: The court said such an application should have been accompanied with the presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.

What you should know: There are suggestions that the bid to arrest Emefiele might be political given the impact the redesign of the naira and limit on cash withdrawals might have on vote-buying in the 2023 elections.

A number of politicians have complained that the naira redesign is targeted at them but President Muhammadu Buhari has given his full backing to Emefiele over the policy.

Meanwhile: The DSS, has issued a statement warning that it would not succumb to propaganda and intimidation in the wake of a report that the agency was allegedly planning to frame and arrest the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele.