Reno Omokri, a socio-political activist, has issued a cautionary message to President Bola Tinubu regarding the arrest of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Omokri stressed the importance of allowing Emefiele to defend himself against any allegations that have been raised.
Drawing a parallel to the actions of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Omokri urged Tinubu not to repeat the mistake of arresting officials from the previous administration without giving them an opportunity to defend themselves. In a tweet, Omokri stated, "Where is Godwin Emefiele? The Tinubu administration should not lock him up and begin to make public allegations against him. This is precisely what Buhari did to Jonathan administration officials as soon as he took over in 2015."
Omokri expressed concern about the practice of imprisoning individuals while making allegations against them, which turns the public against them without providing an opportunity for a proper defense. He acknowledged that while Emefiele could be questioned and accused, he should be given a fair chance to address the rumors and innuendos surrounding him.
Emphasizing the need for transparency, Omokri called for clarity on Emefiele's whereabouts and the legal basis for his detention. He urged Nigerians to hear directly from Emefiele himself. Omokri reminded President Tinubu of his promising start and urged him not to continue the draconian practices of his predecessor. He likened the situation to the actions of former military ruler Sani Abacha, which eventually forced even Tinubu into exile in 1994.
The cautionary message from Reno Omokri highlights the importance of upholding due process and providing individuals with the opportunity to defend themselves against allegations. It serves as a reminder of the need for fairness and transparency in handling cases involving public officials and the potential consequences of disregarding these principles.