Reps Reject Sanusi's Suspension After Hot Debate

The House of Representatives rejected President Goodluck Jonathan's suspension of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on February 20, 2014, Thursday.

Reps Reject Sanusi's Suspension After Hot Debate

The House took the decision after adopting a motion on the matter moved by minority whip, Samson Osagie.

Osagie argued that Sanusi's suspension was unconstitutional and antithetical to Nigeria's economy coming at the time the CBN Governor raised some concerns about missing funds.

He said the timing was wrong and Sanusi should not be washed away, as he was only carrying out his duties as the Chief Executive Officer of the Apex Bank.

He said the manner, in which Sanusi was suspended, was bereft of fairness as the man was not given any query, adding that the issues he raised ought to have been diagnosed thoroughly.

However, the motion drew a lot of controversy among the lawmakers as some kicked against it vehemently.

Leading opposition on the motion, Deputy House Leader, Leo Ogor, said the President is constitutionally empowered to appoint any individual into an office and sack him when something is wrong.

The House was thrown into a moment of confusion when some lawmakers booed Ogor, in disagreement with his position.

Some lawmakers wanted contributing further, but Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ended the matter by putting it to vote.

Overwhelming majority of the lawmakers present at the plenary voted in favour of the motion.

President Jonathan had announced earlier on February 20 that he suspended Lamido based on allegations of “financial recklessness” among other offences.