Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) – The suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said he has no regrets for the actions he took while managing the Bank.
The privately-owned Punch newspaper reported Friday that the embattled former Governor made the comment shortly after receiving the suspension order in Niamey, Niger Republic, on Thursday.
“I have no regrets. I have no ill feelings and no sadness. I’m happy. I’m proud of what I have done,” Sanusi was quoted as saying by the newspaper in his first reaction since the suspension.
Sanusi was attending a meeting of the West African Central Bank Governors in Niamey, when the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, announced his suspension on Thursday.
Unconfirmed media reports quoted the ex-CBN Governor as saying that the suspension might be challenged in court.
“You can suspend an individual but you can’t suspend the truth. My biggest concern is for the system,” he added.
The action of the Nigerian government has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians.
While some believe that it was right for the government to take the action it took, others regarded it as hasty, since investigation is still ongoing on the case.
The House of Representatives was reported to have declared that the President lacked the power to suspend the CBN Governor without resorting to lawmakers.
But defending the government’s decision, Dr. Abati, in a statement in Abuja, said Jonathan took the decision because Sanusi’s tenure had been characterised by acts of financial recklessness and misconduct.
The presidential aide, who claimed that such acts were inconsistent with the vision of the Jonathan administration, said the most senior CBN deputy governor, Dr. Sarah Alade, would act as the Governor of the Bank.
However, the President has nominated the Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for Senate confirmation as the new CBN governor.
The Presidential spokesman said that Dr. Alade would remain in charge until the conclusion of ongoing investigations into breaching of enabling laws, due process and other matters levelled against Sanusi.
