#EndSARS: CBN Has No Power to Investigate Terrorism - Banire Faults Freezing Of Account

A former Lagos Commissioner and ex-Legal adviser to  All Progressives Congress (APC), Muiz Banire, has said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not have the right to investigate terrorism.

Banire, who took to his Twitter page to fault the recent move by the CBN to freeze the accounts of individuals believed to have promoted the #EndSARS protest, tagged the action of CBN as abominable and reckless.

READ ALSO: Freezing Of #EndSARS Promoters Account Will Reignite More Resistance - Moghalu Warns

Further alleging that the CBN was acting in line with the directive of the Federal government, Banire wrote: “CBN is not a crime investigation department and constitutionally cannot investigate crime. That being so, it cannot be freezing people’s accounts on ground of any suspected crime. The Bank is the examiner of commercial bank accounts and not individual’s accounts.

“Obtaining ex-parte order to enquire and investigate private accounts is certainly beyond its brief. What is the function of Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit?

“What expertise does the CBN have in investigating terrorism and other crimes? The Bank remains, in recent times, a meddlesome interloper in affairs that do not concern it. In my strongest view, I believe, all Nigerians must rise up against this power being arrogated to the Bank.”

It will be recalled that the CBN had earlier this month frozen the account of about 20 individuals believed to be promoters of the #EndSARS protest.

The CBN, in defense of its decision, said that the frozen accounts might be linked to terrorism activities.

What expertise does the CBN have in investigating terrorism and other crimes? The Bank remains in recent times a meddlesome interloper in affairs that do not concern it. In my strongest view, I believe, all Nigerians must rise up against this power being arrogated to the Bank.

— Muiz Banire (@Mbanire) November 15, 2020