Sack Of Bank CEOs--Senate, Reps Back Sanusi

By Abdul-Rahman Abubakar and Turaki A. Hassan
The Senate and the House of Representatives yesterday backed the Central Bank (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi over the sacking of five Chief Executives (CEOs) of five ailing banks and the measures taken to rescue the banks from collapsing.

Chairman Senate committee on Information and Media Senator Simon Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North) said Senate was happy and satisfied with the action of the CBN governor saying the move was necessary to save the banking industry from collapse.http://www.burningpot.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&layout=form&Itemid=51

The speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, said on yesterday in Ikeja that the CBN's current audit of banks was in the nation's best interest.

He told newsmen at the Presidential Lounge of the Murtala Muhammad Airport that the sanitisation of the banking sector would boost public confidence.

The CBN governor, Mr Sanusi Lamido Sanusi last week sacked five banks' Managing Directors for alleged mismanagement of depositors' funds.

“Well, I think the fact that CBN is taking the bull by the horn is a good indication that we are managing our funds properly.

“It is a push in the right direction; this is part of the job of the CBN. But let us wait till the full result from the CBN comes out,” he said.

The speaker assured the public that the House of Representatives would back any lawful measures taken to strengthen the country's economy.

Ayogu Eze also said “The action of the CBN governor is nationalistic in nature, Senate will support him and we believe that he has acted in the best interest of the country and this is to further consolidate on the gains of the last administration.”

Senator Eze however, indicated the Senate may launch an investigation into the matter saying, “If we see that his reasons are genuine we are going to back him to go ahead.”

The Chairman of the senate committee on Banking Insurance and other Financial Institutions Senator Nkechi Nwogu (PDP, Abia Central), whose committee supervises the banking sector including the apex bank was not available for comment proved abortive as one of her assistants said she had travelled.