Happenings

Constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Mike Ozekhome, on Friday said President Goodluck Jonathan’s suspension of Lamido Sanusi as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was in order. The human rights activist in a contrary opinion to the views expressed by some lawyers argued that the suspension was legally right. “Constitutionally and legally, what President Jonathan did was correct. He does not require the consent of the National Assembly to do so”, Ozekhome said. “Anyone who is an employee has to know that he is answerable to his employer. You cannot bite the finger that feeds you. “The Nigerian Constitution and the CBN Act give the President the authority to suspend or remove the Governor of the CBN”, he said. Ozekhome, who spoke in a parley with reporters in Abuja, claimed that Sanusi had deviated from his core mandate of leading the apex bank to the path of monetary stability. “A governor of a Central Bank in any part of the world should be seen ...

Father of the slain banker, Mr. George Oyakhire, has said he would not rejoice over the death penalty handed to his son-in-law. Oyakhire, a retired Nigerian Customs Service officer, told one of our correspondents that he loved Akolade like a son and he was sad that things turned out the way they did. He said, “The Bible says that you should not rejoice at the downfall of your enemy. I feel bad about all this because this was a boy I assisted in every way I could. “He even said when giving evidence in court that we were close and this is very true. I assisted him when he needed me and even though he was jobless, my daughter (Titilayo) also helped him. “I am happy the judge berated Akolade’s parents for telling lies in court. They bad-mouthed my daughter and even claimed that she committed suicide. I am happy that my daughter has been vindicated.  I have also been vindicated because I told the whole truth in court. I leave everything to God”. Akolade’s marriage to his late ...

PRESS RELEASE BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) CAUCUS IN THE SENATE ON SUSPENSION OF GOVERNOR OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA, MALAM SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN This morning, President Goodluck Jonathan announced the suspension of Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati directed that the most senior Deputy Governor of the CBN, Dr Sarah Alade will serve as Acting Governor “until the conclusion of on-going investigations into breaches of enabling laws, due process and mandate of the CBN”. Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) in the Senate hereby unequivocally condemn the action of the President as absolutely illegal, and, therefore, reject it in its entirety. While we will not engage the President on his allegations against Malam Sanusi, we want to refer him to the relevant CBN Act of 2007 on the appointment and r...

The suspension of MALLAM SANUSI LAMIDO SANUSI as Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria is nothing but a fight back by the powerful forces of corruption in the structure of the Nigerian State. It is sad that a regime that seeks to be perceived as fighting corruption can have the effrontery to suspend a CBN governor who has been revealing leakages in the fuel subsidy scam in Nigeria.  The position of the law is that the right to suspend must be expressly stated; it cannot be implied (See Warburton v. Taff Vale Railway Co. (1902) 18 TLR. 420). Section 8(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act 2007 provides that the Governor and Deputy Governors “shall be appointed by the President subject to confirmation by the Senate”. In the same way, the proviso to section 11 (2) of the CBN Act states that the removal of the Governor, Deputy Governor and Director of the CBN by the President is subject to being supported by two-thirds majority of the Senate.  From the foregoing provisions o...

The Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos has granted an order restraining Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke; Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar; the State Security Service (SSS); and all agencies of the Federal Government from arresting and detaining suspended Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi — or subjecting him to any form of degrading treatment. Justice Buba Ibrahim granted the order, pending the determination of a fundamental human rights suit in which Sanusi complained of Thursday’s unlawful arrest, detention, and seizure of his passport.  Sanusi deemed the actions violations of his right to personal liberty, freedom of movement, and right to dignity of human person, as guaranteed under Sections 34, 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.  He is represented by former Attorney-general of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), and Kola Awodein (SAN). Justice Buba fixed Friday, 28th ...

Nigeria’s former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has taken time to condemn the President’s move to suspend the Central Bank Governor until the yesterday’s controversial suspension, Sanusi Lamid Sanusi. Taking to his Twitter page to air his views, the Turakin Adamawa stated that, “Instead of playing politics with the institution of the CBN, our FG should be building an economy that creates more jobs for Nigerians. Our nation at the moment needs economic stability and investor confidence – the FG’s actions will affect the economy negatively. If this CBN Governor’s suspension is not contested in court, it could set a dangerous precedent for the future – economically & politically.  The Constitution is sacrosanct. It cannot be toyed with at the convenience of the government. FG must respect constitutional process.” Concluded the APC chieftain. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi |photo: Metropole Magazine Former Vice President of the World Bank (Africa) Oby Ezekwesili on her part sai...

According to a soft sell magazine – Icon Weekly,  music superstar 2Face Idibia is expecting a child with a graduate of University of Lagos named Teniola who happens to be a  “Lagos Top Banker” and also 2face’s account manager. 2face management – 960 Music Group has released an official statement to clear the rumor making waves. Read below: 2Face Pregnancy Rumours Completely Unfounded February 21, 2014 – A few days ago, a rumour surfaced about 2Face Idibia allegedly getting a young woman pregnant and various versions of the story have emerged since then. 2Face would like to categorically state that these stories are completely false and baseless. The press has published this story in many versions without confirming the authenticity of the allegations. He would like to make it very clear: THERE IS NO TRUTH TO THIS STORY. He would also like to request that the media houses that have already published this story issue retractions without any delay. 2Face does n...

Justice Lateefat Okunu of the Ikeja High Court Friday sentenced Akolade Arowolo to death over the death of his banker wife, Titilayo Omozeje in 2011. Arowolo who is a youth pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Gbagada Parish, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, has been on trial in the court since 2012 over the murdered of Titilayo, a Skye Bank Staff, on 24 June, 2011 at their residence, 8, Akindeinde Street, Isolo, Lagos. Justice Okunu held in her over three hours judgment that evidence before the court proved that Arowolo actually murdered his wife in their matrimonial home. Relying mainly on a forensic report conducted by Prof. John Oladapo Obafunwa, a pathologist, the court held that there was no way the deceased could have stabbed herself to death. Arowolo in tears at the court after he was sentenced to death Justice Okunu held that by the law principle of ‘Last Seen’ since Arowolo was the only person with his wife when she was stabbed, no one but him could hav...

The House of Representatives has rejected President Goodluck Jonathan’s removal of Sanusi Lamido as governor of the Central Bank, dismissing the president’s action as “illegal and unconstitutional”. Mr. Sanusi was suspended Thursday for what the president called “financial recklessness”; but many Nigerians believe he was punished for exposing the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC’s failure to account for $20 billion missing oil money, and how the government has failed to act on the matter. Mr. Jonathan has already named Godwin Emefiele, the current chief executive officer of Zenith Bank, as new CBN chief, subject to the confirmation of the Senate. But the House of Representatives on Thursday rejected the president’s decision, and accused Mr. Jonathan of acting outside his power, in a direct message that reflected the sentiments expressed by many Nigerians. Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, said whatever might be the offence, Mr. Jonathan should have followed c...

Lamido Sanusi, has berated President Goodluck Jonathan’ attitude to corruption, saying his exposure of financial misappropriation by Nigeria’s state owned oil firm, NNPC, put him in the bad books of the president. Mr. Sanusi gave an example of the president’s attitude to corruption, saying no action was taken against the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, despite that she openly admitted spending $3.5 billion (N577 billion) of Nigeria’s money without budgetary approval. Mr. Sanusi said this while reacting to his suspension by President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday. Speaking on the Hausa service of the Voice of America shortly after his suspension was announced, Mr. Sanusi said he knew that was how he would end his tenure as the CBN governor because of his frequent clashes with the government, the most recent and controversial of which was his allegation against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. Mr. Sanusi had, on September 25, 2013, writ...

I laughed out my guts when I came across this article. Screen goddess, Geneveive Nnaji has threaten to slap EME singer, Skales If he mentions her name in his lyrics again. EME rapper, Skales probably never saw this coming. Well incase you didn’t know Skales in a song titled “no time” said that genevieve was top on his list and he wants to give her the D, but now Skales might get the ‘S’. The far from happy star actress issued a statement this morning to one of our reporters, and I quote: “Can you imagine that boy telling me he wants to give me the D ..what does he know, is the D sef? ..that is by the way..the next time i hear him mention my name in his lyrics again, I’m gonna give him a dirty slap, he’ll never forget..what sort of nonsense, am I his mate? how much does he have?” Banky W was contacted but all he could say was “I told Skales..upcoming artist don’t mention her name in songs…now we have to go and beg all together….Wizkid is already buying her gifts..we cant spoi...

In his reaction to the suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, the Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasir El-Rufai called this action “the height of desperation and impunity”. Just several hours ago Goodluck Jonathan’s decision was informed through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati. CBN governor removal was said to be because of  “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.” In the opinion of El-Rufai, Sanusi’s removal and his replacement with Dr Sarah Alade is the height of desperation and impunity. The official angered by the President’s move took to his Twitter page to express his point of view: “When a government is desperate to protect the most corrupt in its midst, the first target is the truth and bearers of the tru...

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola condenmed the suspension of the CBN Governor Lamido Sanusi from office, expressing worry that the development might affect Nigeria’s economy in a negative way. Governor Fashola spoke to the press yesterday after the official commissioning of the Lagos Asphalt plant at Imota in Ikorodu area of the state. He said the move indicates the Federal Government’s insensitivity to the harm Nigeria experiences because of corruption. He described Mr. Fashola’s removal as a tactical sack, explaining that, since President Goodluck Jonathan lacks legal power to actually sack the CBN Governor, he had to resort to this kind of action. “I don’t understand this kind of economic management,”  Governor Fashola said.  “If the man is going in June, there must be a sense in which messaging about executive tampering with the independence of the Central Bank has economic consequences for investor positioning. “This is not a suspension. It’s a sack...

THE Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, on Tuesday, ordered the remand of two MTN staff and three others in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody, over an alleged N1.358 biilion theft brought against them by the commission. The suspects, Victor Akintunde, 41, Gani Mustapha, 46, Mutairu Babatunde, Prima Vera Engineering and Construction Limited and Mabo Dredging Limited. Justice Kudirat Jose ordered that the suspects, who were  facing a 17-count charge, bordering on conspiracy, stealing, obtaining, forgery and issuance of dud cheque, preffered against them the EFCC, should be remanded. The EFCC counsel, Emmanuel Jackson, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offence in April 8, 2008. Stating that with intent to defraud, Akintunde, Mustapha, Babatunde, alongside their companies, Prima Vera Engineering and Construction Limited, Mabo Deredging Limited, conspired to steal the sum of N127million, property of MTN employees Multi-Purpo...

$20 billion dollars belonging to estimated 170 million Nigerians, half of who lives below S1 dollar or N150 naira daily, have been stolen, withheld, unremitted by a few set of thieves within NNPC and accomplices within the  Presidency. This is the summary of the revelations of Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Dan Maje of Kano and current Governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank. This is happening at time when about 80 million Nigerians live below $1 dollar daily. A few greedy thieves in high places, probably numbering not more than 150 persons, deliberately refused to remit about $20 billion dollars of Nigeria\s oil earnings into the Federation Accounts within a period of just eighteen months. Heaven is crying and God is angry that the same group of Christians and Muslims who throng Jerusalem, Rome, Mecca, Medina, Redeemed Camp, Shiloh Camp, Adoration Camps and do all the religious Zakkat and Sallat in all the Quranic approved holy sites, sat down with some occult...

Four gunmen on Thursday,February 20, 2014 abducted an alleged serial fraudster and suspect in two cases being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.The suspect, Princewill Arinze Nwobodo (alias Aboki J. Brown) was abducted by the gunmen within the precincts of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere where he was to be arraigned before Justice Aishat Opesanwo on a 4-count charge bordering on obtaining $ 92,000(Ninety-Two Thousand United States Dollar) under false pretence. The arraignment was deferred to March 27, 2014 as the court did not sit. Nwobodo had previously been arraigned in two separate courts in Lagos on fraud related charges. He was docked on October 25, 2013 before Justice Saliu Seidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos on a 15- count charge bordering on forgery and obtaining under false pretence. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail. His inability to meet the bail conditions consigned him to prison custody till Thursday, February 20. In...