Jonathan Suspends Cbn Governor, Sanusi Over Financial Recklessness
President Goodluck Jonathan few hours ago, suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, over alleged financial recklessness, breach of enabling laws among others.
Dr Serah Alade, most senior deputy governor, has been named to act as Acting Governor.
Spokesman, Reuben Abati said in a statement on Thursday “Having taken special notice of reports of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and other investigating bodies, which indicate clearly that Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi's tenure has been characterized by various acts of financial recklessness and misconduct which are inconsistent with the administration's vision of a Central Bank propelled by the core values of focused economic management, prudence, transparency and financial discipline;
Being also deeply concerned about far-reaching irregularities under Mallam Sanusi's watch which have distracted the Central Bank away from the pursuit and achievement of its statutory mandate; and
Being determined to urgently re-position the Central Bank of Nigeria for greater efficiency, respect for due process and accountability, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has ordered the immediate suspension of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from the Office of Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
President Jonathan has further ordered that Mallam Sanusi should hand over to the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade who will serve as Acting Governor until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN.
The President expects that as Acting Governor of the Central Bank, Dr. Alade will focus on the core mandate of the Bank and conduct its affairs with greater professionalism, prudence and propriety to restore domestic and international confidence in the country's apex bank.
The Federal Government of Nigeria reassures all stakeholders in Nigeria's financial and monetary system that this decision has been taken in absolute good faith, in the overall interest of the Nigerian economy and in accordance with our laws and due process.
In the last few months Sanusi had been neck deep in controversies involving alleged missing funds at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Sanusi had also got into hot water over his reckless spending over the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sub head.
The Senate had also concluded arrangements to institute an in depth probe into alleged extra-financial dealings in the Sanusi Lamido Sanusi-led Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), running into about N138billion.
A former Anambra Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife had called for the suspension of Sanusi over his inconsistencies over the figures he often reeled out concerning the NNPC missing funds
Said Ezeife: “ I am surprised. I didn't know that the report of the CBN indicating that a whopping sum of $49.8 billion was missing from the federation account was false. That gives the impression that the CBN Governor is working against the government he is serving. He tried to make President Jonathan look bad in the eye of the public. The money involved was so huge that to lie about it is a serious affair.“ -
In the last few months Sanusi had been neck deep in controversies involving alleged missing funds at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Sanusi had also got into hot water over his reckless spending over the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) sub head.
The Senate had also concluded arrangements to institute an in depth probe into alleged extra-financial dealings in the Sanusi Lamido Sanusi-led Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), running into about N138billion.
A former Anambra Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife had called for the suspension of Sanusi over his inconsistencies over the figures he often reeled out concerning the NNPC missing funds
Said Ezeife: “ I am surprised. I didn't know that the report of the CBN indicating that a whopping sum of $49.8 billion was missing from the federation account was false. That gives the impression that the CBN Governor is working against the government he is serving. He tried to make President Jonathan look bad in the eye of the public. The money involved was so huge that to lie about it is a serious affair.“ -