Farewell to Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

Farewell to Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (Danmajen Kano)

Ibrahim Muye Yahaya

“The President should consider pruning down his administration’s 7 point agenda to possibly a manageable 2 point agenda.” Sanusi Lamido Sanusi on 2^nd June, 2009.

I like many Nigerians who have been following the Cat and Mouse game between the Presidency and Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (SLS) never received the news of his un- ceremonial exit as the head of apex Bank, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with shocked. In last few weeks ago, his name has once more awash in print and electronic media over the $20 billion missing crude sales, an allegation which SLS said he stood by his word. Since then, the government of the day which feels mortified with his revelation put on a machinery to compel him out of office. An attempt was made which he vehemently fought back and dare whoever cares to listen that it’s only the two third majority of the Senate that has the power to remove him from the office. The exit of SLS has now confirmed to Nigerians that the self-styled resignation attempted of the preceding weeks which was denied by the presidency was actually it handiwork. The Presidency, this term around nails SLS of some financial irregularities and accusation that his office carries out without due process as the rationale for his suspension and with instant nomination of his successor. It is no longer news that SLS raised an alarm long ago that Petroleum & Finance Ministries, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum Product Price Regulating Agency (PPPRA) and Pipeline Products and Marketing Company (PPMC) owe Nigerians explanation on how over $20 billion crude sales was missing.

He was adore and loathed by many, he has fought scores of battles with corrupt Politicians, Bankers, Corporate looters, Senior Government officials, Businessmen, Money launderers, Civil servants, Drug barons and the most dreaded 419ners that amassed their wealth in the most throbbing and dubious manner. To them, it is an end of an era and a relief. Only God knows how many Marabouts, Herbalists, Babalawos, prayer warriors and Shrine that were been constricted to get SLS out of office or death for quite a long time. Today, the corporate looters and those looking for avenue to legalize looting in Nigeria who’s SLS presence at the helms of apex Bank affairs has frustrated or serve as an hindrance will call for an open or a family get together to celebrate his exit as the CBN Boss.

The suspension of SLS and immediate nomination of his successor has once more picture the administration of been managed by poor advisers, sycophants, and strategists. The ill-timed sacking of the apex Bank Governor who has for the past a year raised alarm for unaccounted missing Billions of Crude sale and subsidies by the Presidency, NNPC, Finance and Petroleum Ministries and of recent for not accounting to the tune of over $20 Billion dollars has exposed the administration that it condone, nurtured, fed, water and breed corruption. For the same administration to come up with a weak pretext that there is an allegation of financial irregularities against the person of SLS is the highest degree of affront to the intelligence of Nigerian’s irrespective of their religion or region they come from. Many Nigerians would has taken the administration seriously had it been it slam the hammer on the supervising Ministers and agencies that are suppose to defend the allegation of missing billions of dollars. For the administration to systematically set free the accuse and prosecute the accuser has shows clearly its body language, the case of SLS is one of the most shameful flaw committed by any government for the past 3 decades.

Is President Jonathan administration telling Nigerians that the allegation of $20 billion raise by SLS which is currently under investigation by the both chambers of National Assembly is a hoax? Is administration exonerating the offices of Ministers of Finance and Petroleum Resources, GMD of NNPC, MD of PPMC and ES of PPPRA for the un-accounted $20 billion? Is administration calling on the National Assembly to discard the ongoing investigation on the missing $20 billion dollars? Is firing of SLS who is a star witness and the whistle-blower on the missing $20 billion serve as a caveat pointer to the incoming CBN governor and other anticipated whistle-blowers to keep their mouth shut up and eyes close? Is the administration telling Nigerian’s not to uphold to the oath been swore by senior public officers to serve the Country with truth and honesty? Why is the administration shielding supervising Ministers of Petroleum and Finance together with other agencies involved on the allegation of financial irregularities, the same gauge it use by suspending SLS? The forceful exit of SLS as the head of Nigerian apex Bank has shows what a Hausa proverb says “Biri ya yi Kama da mutum” (A monkey has a resemblance of a human being). No amount of media half truths and politicking will sway an honest living Nigerian that the allegation of $20 billion levied by SLS was not true. The extraordinary action of the administration for taking side with those Ministries and agencies accused of diverting $20 billion dollars and sent packing the fellow that accuse them have given good point to all those disposed to write President Jonathan administration epitaph in future.

Malam Sanusi’s exit has given corporate criminals (Looters) respite, especially those that have been having restless nights, those that have been busy manipulating figures and those that have been busy waging media war against his person. For the past 4 years, his tenure as the head of apex Bank has brought confidence into Nigerian Banking system and brought stability in Money laundry which our Country is rated among the top nations in the World. During his tenure as the head of apex Bank, he was bold enough to expose and prosecute the corrupt head of financial institutions that have turn depositors Money into their private chattels; as the greatest milestone in history of Nigeria Banking sector. The introduction of cashless policies, curbing the corrupt excesses of the Bureau the Change operators and other sophistications he brought into Nigerian Banking sector. Even his detractors knew his tenure at the apex Bank was patent with success as his policies were endorsed locally and globally with countless honours and awards from international financial regulators.

For SLS, I will quote from his favourite Novel “Things Fall Apart” If you live as a coward, I will have asked you to come back, but you never live as one. Your tenure at the apex Bank was not mark with cowardice, but marks with valor, so I say go in peace. For past 2years, you have said it time without number that you are not interested in serving another term as the head of apex Bank upon completion of your first tenure. His case is quite different with those that are incompetent but have remained a gospel singer of the administration all in effort to remain in office. SLS untimely exit from the apex Bank jog my memory of the similar case of former Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu who some corrupt cabals compel to National Institute for Policy and Strategies Studies (NIPSS), Kuru for a one year course to enable them change the game plan in other to liberate the corporate looters who regarded themselves invulnerable. He served his fatherland with the best of his ability and credibility, it’s only a fraction of Nigerians that saw nothing off beam with been corrupt that will celebrate his exit at the apex Bank, but majority who believe the Country must be ridded of corruption appreciate his person, courage, dedication and policies initiated during his tenure which are dazzling. I urge you to be prepared for intimidation, harassment, indicting and hounding by our security agents who have abandoned their skilled duties and revolve themselves to be the arm wing of government officials to tarnish your integrity, an integrity they knew they require and will never acquire. Nigerians knew who are the corrupt officials and those shielding them. Congratulations Danmajen Kano; a Prince, Banker, teacher, Economist, Islamic Scholar, writer and an analyst despite the fact your exit at the apex Bank was marked with hullabaloo.