The apex pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has distanced itself from a statement credited to one Mazi Chima Uzor which alleged that the suspension of the disgraced former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele amounts to deliberate cleansing of the Igbo ethnic group from public offices.
Fedredsnews had earlier reported the suspension of Emefiele by President Bola Tinubu who also directed that Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the deputy governor in charge of operations directorate should take charge in an acting capacity. The following day, Saturday, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced that Emefiele is currently in its custody for “some investigative reasons”.
In a statement credited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide signed by Mazi Chima Uzor, the group was quoted as saying the suspension of Emefiele is “ethnic cleansing”.
However, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, said the group has no affiliation with Uzor.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Iwuanyanwu asked security operatives to arrest Uzor for allegedly impersonating the group.
“Mazi Chima Uzor is an impersonator and unknown to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. There is no office for national interest matters in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide,” the statement reads.
“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 the government on officials of the government.
“Individuals have a right to go to court and 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.
“In the other hand, if the individual is guilty, the Ohanaeze will be unable to assist.
“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.
“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.”
