A group of Nigerians in diaspora under the aegis of the Committee for the Future of Nigeria (CFFN) has called for urgent judicial and legislative action on suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
The group in a statement signed by its key executive members, Olushegun Olapojoye, Rilwan Oshinusi and Dr Malcolm Fabiyi flayed the suspension of the CBN boss saying that with the suspension, the presidency had plunged the country into “needless uncertainty”.
CFFN noted that in other climes, governments were also wearied of tampering with the operations and independence of apex banks.
“In serious democracies, the importance of stable financial markets, transparency, and the independence of central banks to economic growth is widely appreciated. The recent sudden suspension of Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from his position as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria has introduced needless uncertainty”, the group stated.
The statement read, “Given that the suspension has followed Mr. Sanusi’s very public claims about astounding financial improprieties in the handling of the accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the CFFN along with other Nigerians, is concerned that Mr. Sanusi’s suspension would appear to be a punitive action by a government that is not serious about tackling corruption.
“Perhaps even more serious is the question of whether the President has overstepped his bounds in unilaterally suspending Mr. Sanusi, given that the CBN act expressly requires the consent of two thirds of the Nigerian Senate with any decision to remove a Central Bank Governor.
CFFN is calling for the Nigerian Senate and the Judiciary to expeditiously provide Nigerians with their interpretation of the CBN act and President Goodluck Jonathan’s actions. We demand the following:
“The Nigerian Senate should put a motion to the floor, to determine Senators who are for or against the removal of the CBN Governor from office. This should confirm to Nigerians whether the President has the approval of two thirds of the Senate to proceed with his actions. We note that the two thirds approval of the Senate is, by the language of the CBN Act, supposed to precede the removal of the CBN Governor.
“Should the Senate fail to act, the Supreme Court should expeditiously take on this case, and provide their interpretation of the CBN Act.
The government has levelled serious allegations of financial recklessness against Mr. Sanusi. We call on Mr. Sanusi to address the issues raised against him in the courts of law”.
