Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has responded to comments made by the...
Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and now Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has responded to comments made by the former Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison-Madueke, alleging that he accused her of misappropriating the missing $20bn under the past administration of Goodluck Jonathan due to personal vendetta.
The former minister of petroleum had in a recent interview, insinuated that the Emir made the allegation against her due to his frustration that the Presidency did not support his
attempt to become the head of the African Development Bank while he was CBN governor.
During the interview, she said, "If there is one issue I must pursue in this world, it is the biggest lie of this money. How can $20bn disappear just like that? Where did it disappear to? Is it possible that such an amount would not be traceable?
"This is more painful coming from someone I considered a good friend who should appreciate the gravity of such an allegation. I challenge anyone to come forward with facts showing that I stole government or public money. I've never stolen Nigeria's money."
Responding to her claims, Mohammed Sanusi II released a statement on Saturday, November 14th, reiterating that his allegations against Diezani were totally based on genuine concern for the nation's treasury and not on personal sentiments; also referring to Diezani as a liar.
He said, "It is not something that is hidden that anybody who is seeking that job must get the support of his country. Knowing fully that I went to the President with my intention and before I made the exposure of the $20bn oil deal, Jonathan clearly indicated his support for me.
"He even directed Hassan Tukur, his principal private Secretary to write to African heads of states. So, what is Diezani saying? One can now see that she is lying.
"My suspension came a week after I made the disclosure of the missing monies, precisely on February 20, 2014. As at that time, I was the only candidate from Nigeria gunning for the AfDB job, but you know one cannot have it when he is suspended. My passports were all confiscated. Jonathan in trying to punish me, denied me of the job and replaced me with Akin Adesina, who is my personal friend.
"The question that remains for Diezani to answer is: Was there $6bn said to have been remitted to NPDC which they denied? As for that denial, who is holding that money? What happened to the inflated N6 per litre kerosene subsidy? Where is the money said to be paid to that effect? All these questions formed the basis upon which I was suspended and denied the AfDB job.
"Certainly, there is nothing personal. It is our nation's money we are talking about. One cannot take away the treasury and expect to go scot-free. He must answer the basic questions. Everyone is aware that I was punished by former president Jonathan for exposing the missing $20bn.
"The punishment after suspending me from the CBN and taking away my passports was also blocking me from becoming the AfDB President, but Allah in his mercy today has given me something much more better than that".
