![“You Cannot Suspend The Truth” – Sanusi Tells Jonathan [Read Text of 1st Interview After Suspension]](http://omojuwa.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/CBN-Governor-Metropole-Magazine-623x330.jpg "“You Cannot Suspend The Truth” – Sanusi Tells Jonathan [Read Text of 1st Interview After Suspension]")
For the sake of those with slow Internet
and date bundle issues, I have transcribed the major parts of suspended
Central Bank Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s first interview after his
suspension. He spoke to CNBC Africa. You can read the text below.
On whether he was on notice with respect to his suspension:
Well, I have been told by my office that a letter was received. As you
know, I flew in this morning to Niamey along with other Governors of
West African Central Banks to meet with the President of Niger and
President of Ghana…Fortunately, I came in with my VP Sarah Alade whom I
have been asked to hand over to. I have left the meeting to hand over to
her. I have just met the Nigerian Ambassador to Niger who confirmed to
me that the President asked him to inform me of the decision.
On accusations of “various acts of financial misconduct and recklessness” he said:
I don’t know what they are talking about. When I come back, I will see
what those allegations are…I don’t think there is any issue raised that
has not been raised before. We all know what this is about. This is
about consequences for decisions I have taken… This is something that is
long overdue. I am surprised it took them so long.
On concerns for the market:
Basically, my concern is for the safety of the market…I have had a
wonderful time in service to my country. I would not want to see all of
my work unraveled. No individual is worth it.
On whether his suspension is politically motivated:
It is not for me to comment. I am not sure that erm… I think the answer
to that is obvious…there is a legal question of whether the president
has the authority to suspend the Governor and whether suspension is not
removal. It will be helpful to establish the principles by court.
Even if I challenge it, I will not go
back to the job. Even if I challenge it successfully, I will not go back
to it. I think it will be in the interest of the institution for the
courts to establish once and for all if the president has the powers to
do this… If it is not challenged, the next Central Bank Governor cannot
be independent with fear of being suspended by a politician. I do plan
to have the courts confirm if indeed that authority exists and I will
challenge it.
On his legacy: He
pointed out Low inflation. Stable exchange rate. Reformed and well
governed banking system, robust reserve, independent central bank,
financial inclusion, systems reform…history will record this, nothing is
going to change that. You can suspend an individual, you can’t suspend
the truth. And this is all about these concerns around oil revenues,
around decadence in the oil sector and if this is going to bring about
the $20 billion then that’s fine.
Sanusi Lamido also emphasized the fact
that he trusted the competence of his successor Sarah Alade and the
other deputy governors to continue his good work. His grouse seemed to
be on the legality of his suspension and the future independence of the
CBN Governor. He insisted he’d go to the courts to contest the
arbitrariness of his suspension, citing the fact that the President
himself did not sign his suspension letter as it was signed by the
Secretary to the Federal Government. He finished by saying he had no
regrets or ill feelings towards anyone on the matter. Watch the video
below.
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