Jonathan challenges Sanusi to respond to corruption charges

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday said instead of responding to the query of his official conduct, Sanusi had “cynically chosen to whip up public sympathy for himself and anger against the federal government by deliberately misleading unwary Nigerians and the international community into believing the falsehood that he is […]

Presidential spokesman, Reuben Abati, at a press conference in Abuja yesterday said instead of responding to the query of his official conduct, Sanusi had “cynically chosen to whip up public sympathy for himself and anger against the federal government by deliberately misleading unwary Nigerians and the international community into believing the falsehood that he is being punished for exposing corruption.”
Describing Sanusi’s allegations as untrue, Abati said the government was making no effort to bury them, noting that relevant committees of the National Assembly were still investigating the claims.
According to the presidential spokesman, Sanusi is free to give evidence before the National Assembly in support of his allegations.
He said: “We have noted with disappointment, the unrelenting attempt by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to falsely portray his recent suspension from office as an attempt by the Presidency to bury his allegation that huge sums of money due to the Federation Account are unaccounted for by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
Abati re-affirmed that Sanusi’s suspension had nothing to do with his claim that “$49.8 billion, $12 billion or $20 billion is missing from the national treasury.
“As was clearly stated in the letter suspending him from office and confirmed by President Goodluck Jonathan in his last Presidential Media Chat, Malam Sanusi’s suspension was wholly based on the need for him to step aside while the weighty charges of financial recklessness, gross misconduct and persistent disregard for laid down rules and regulations in the management of the Central Bank made against him by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria and others are properly investigated,” he said.