Secretary
to the Government to the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim has asked the Financial
Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) to audit the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Acting
on President Goodluck Jonathan’s directive, Anyim gave the FRCN six weeks to do
job.
The
audit is to examine the books showing how suspended CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi has run the apex bank.
The
President said Sanusi remained the CBN governor and would be allowed back to
the office “today or tomorrow”, if he was cleared at the end of investigation.
Sanusi
was suspended last Thursday for alleged “misconduct” and “financial
recklessness”. He denied any wrongdoing, challenging his accusers to open the
books.
The
presidential directive to the FRCN is believed to be a response to Sanusi’s
stand on the row between him and the authorities.
The
fresh audit is a follow-up to an earlier on by auditing giants Coopers and
Lybrand.
Sanusi
has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of being unable
to account for $20 billion oil revenue. The argument was still raging when he
was suddenly suspended – an action the President defended last night.
Dr
Jonathan said he has “absolute power” to suspend Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from office.
According
to him, it would have been inappropriate to have allowed Sanusi to remain in
office while the report of the FRCN, which indicted the CBN 2012 audit report,
was being considered. He said because Sanusi is the chairman of the CBN board
of directors, it was mandatory for him to be out of office during
investigation.
Dr Sarah Alade, the most senior deputy governor was
appointed to act for Sanusi. Zenith Bank Managing Director Godwin Emefiele has
been nominated as CBN governor, to take office on June 2 when Sanusi’s tenure
is due to end. The Senate is yet to confirm the appointment. 
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