Jonathan queries CBN Governor over questionable donations

CBN Governor, Mallam Sule Lamido

The Presidency has issued a query to the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Sule Lamido over questionable donations made to some organisations and universities.

The presidency believes that Sanusi's actions and activities are undermining the effort of the present administration.

The CBN governor was accused of donating close to N150 billion to some institutions and interest groups in states controlled by opposition political parties in what appears to be a clever way of channelling state funds to some politicians who in turn use them to attack the president and his government.

The questionable donations include N10 billion to Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto;  N4 billion to Bayero University, Kano; N500 million to the University of Benin, Benin; and N100 million to the Kano State Government; N25 million to Catholic Church.

He was accused of not following CBN rules and due process before donating to institution and organization.

Jonathan had earlier demanded the immediate resignation of Sanusi on the grounds that the CBN governor had allegedly leaked the letter he wrote to him on the unremitted $49.8 billion to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Sanusi in his response denied leaking any documents, saying only the Senate only the Senate could remove him from office by two-thirds vote

But Sanusi rebuffed the president, saying only the National Assembly  could remove him from office by a two-thirds vote.

The CBN is established as an institution to coordinate the banking industry and not to donate funds to institutions.