Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has dissociated itself from reports condemning the suspension of governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, by President Bola Tinubu.
President-General of Ohanaeze, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu stated this in a statement on Sunday.
He was reacting to reports credited to one Mazi Chima Uzor who claimed to be the Director of National Interest Matters of the organisation.
In the report, Mr Uzor had claimed that Ohanaeze condemned Mr Emefiele’s suspension describing it as ethnic cleansing.
But Iwuanyanwu noted that at no time did Ohanaeze take such a stand.
He further stated that the said Mazi Chima Uzor is an impersonator and that Ohanaeze does not have an office of National Interest Matters.
The statement reads: “My attention has been drawn to a publication making the rounds by one MAZI CHIMA UZOR, who claimed to be the Director of National interest Maters in Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“In his publication, he claimed that Ohanaeze Condemns Emefiele’s suspension, saying it’s ethnic cleansing.
“I want to state categorically that this is false in its entirety. I hereby state emphatically that: Mazi Chima Uzor is an Impersonator and unknown to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“There is no office for National Interest Matters in Ohanaeze Ndidigbo Worldwide,” the Ohanaeze Presidential-General said.
Iwuanyanwu further noted that Ohanaeze has no intention whatsoever to interfere with investigations by the DSS or other Security agents of the Country.
“Ohanaeze also has no intention whatsoever to interfere with the disciplinary actions by Government on officials of the Government,” he said.
The President General further noted that Individuals have a right to go to Court.
He said when the Court of Law proves the individual innocent and Ohanaeze is convinced that the individual is innocent, Ohanaeze will take every step necessary to assist the individual.
“On the other hand, if the individual is guilty, the Ohanaeze will be unable to assist.”
He said the case of Mazi Chima Uzor is a matter of criminal impersonation.
“By this disclaimer, we are requesting the security agents to treat this matter as a very serious crime case”
“We wish finally to alert the public on many fraudsters who are tarnishing the good name and reputation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by making false publications in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for selfish interests”
“We hope with the help of security agents, they will soon be flushed out,” he concluded.
