SSS accuses CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, of sponsoring terrorism

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Premium Times reports  

 A new twist has been added to the ongoing travails of the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Lamido Sanusi, as the Department of State Security Service, SSS, has accused him of financing terrorism.

The SSS stated this at the Federal High Court, Lagos, while defending its decision to seize Mr. Sanusi’s international passport.

Mr. Sanusi’s passport was seized on February 20, as he arrived the Lagos international airport, hours after he was suspended as Central Bank Governor by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the banker who turned whistleblower has a revolutionary message for Nigeria

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Lamido Sanusi: ‘If the population as a whole starts protesting what is going on in our country, how many of them can they kill?' Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters

Aristocrats rarely turn whistleblower. After all, they are more often than not the beneficiaries of a social order that guarantees them a life of privilege. So the least one could expect is that they avoid rocking the boat. Criticism of the status quo is supposed to be the preserve of the have-nots.

Hence the surprise of many when Lamido Sanusi, scion of one of the most powerful royal families in northern Nigeria, started talking publiclyabout alleged corruption in the oil industry and billions in missing revenue.

Sanusi had, up until now, led a pretty predictable life. He attended the right schools, enjoyed a successful banking career and in 2009 was appointed governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Hardly your stereotypical activist candidate.

My story - Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

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In the beginning

As at the time I came into office, several things had collapsed. From banks to stock exchange, they had crashed. Inflation was at 15.6percent three months before I became Central Bank Governor; there was already instability in every sector of the economy. When I look back, I thank God for the people who supported us and criticized us as well because criticism has made us stronger. Also, when I look back, I can point to several things that have changed after our arrival and till date.

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