President General (PG) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has dissociated the group from a publication, which described the suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, as ethnic cleansing.

Iwuanyanwu stated that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, under his watch, has no intention whatsoever to interfere with disciplinary actions by government on its officials.

One Chima Uzor, who claimed to be the group’s Director of National Interest Matters, had issued a statement condemning Emefiele’s suspension and arrest.

But, in a statement, yesterday, Iwuanyanwu categorically said that the statement, in its entirety, was false, and never emanated from Ohanaeze under him.

He described Uzor as an impersonator and unknown to the Igbo socio-cultural body, adding that there is no office for National Interest Matters in the organisation.

Iwuanyanwu said: “Individuals have the right to go to court, and when the court proves him or her innocent, and Ohanaeze is convinced he is innocent, the group would take necessary steps to assist the individual.

“On the other hand, if the individual is guilty, Ohanaeze will not be able to assist.”

The PG, who described the case of Uzor as a matter of criminal impersonation, added: “By this disclaimer, we are requesting that security agents treat this matter as a serious crime case.“

We wish to alert the public of fraudsters, who are smearing the reputation of Ohanaeze by making false publications in the name of the organisation for selfish interests.

“We hope security agents would help to flush them out.”