Court To Deliver Judgement On Sanusi's Suspension May 20

An Abuja Federal High Court yesterday fixed May 20 to deliver judgement as to whether the suspended governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, would be reinstated into office.

OCTOBER 30: Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria presents at the World Islamic Economic Forum at ExCel on October 30, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images for 9th World Islamic Economic Forum)

Sanusi was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan on February 20 over 'financial recklessness' and 'gross misconduct' at the CBN.

Sanusi rejected the claims against him, saying that he was removed for revealing that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had allegedly underremitted $20bn in oil revenue to the Federation Account. 

The suspended governor through his counsel Kola Awodein (SAN) filed a suit challenging his removal.

The respondents in the suit are President Jonathan, the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police.

Arguing the originating summons, Sanusi maintained that the CBN Act effectively prohibits the president from suspending the CBN governor.

He argued that the intention of the legislature that enacted the CBN Act is not to give powers to the executive to suspend.

Awodein said that the defendant has unlawfully interfered with the operational independence with the suspension of the CBN governor and that the interference has grave consequences on Nigeria's monetary policies.

He further said that the president can only do what is permitted by the law, otherwise there will be chaos.

All the respondents had earlier brought preliminary objection, asking the court to dismiss the suit.

Counsel to President Jonathan, Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) in his response to Sanusi's argument said that the CBN governor was suspended for awarding contracts beyond his approval limit.

To recall, on April 3 a Federal High Court in Lagos on restrained the Nigeria Police, State Security Service and Attorney General of the Federation from arresting or harassing Sanusi.

The court ordered to immediately release ex-governor's passport and award him N50m in exemplary damages.