Fire struck the Marina, Lagos office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday evening.
The fire sources say started from the top floor where the Lagos office of the suspended Governor of the bank, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, is located.
The fire occurred barely 24 hours before Sanusi and other top executives of the bank are scheduled to appear before investigators at the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, following Sanusi’s indictment by the council.
The extent of damage was not clear as at the time of filing this report, but could the inferno be a ploy to destroy evidence?
The council has been pouring over the books of the bank and has sent investigators to the Abuja headquarters of the bank.
Also on the radar of FRC investigators is Ms. Evelyn Oputu, the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, who allegedly diverted billions of naira and real estate belonging to the bank.
The council is examining the controversial forced sale of Intercontinental Bank Plc to Access Bank Plc believed to have been orchestrated by Senator Bukola Saraki and facilitated by Sanusi.
Mr. Erastus Akingbola, the CEO of the defunct Intercontinental Bank had accused Saraki of forcefully taking over control of the bank.
As at the time of the sale of the bank, the retired CEO of Access Bank Plc, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede and present CEO, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, were heavily indebted to Intercontinental Bank to the tune of about N16 billion which was facilitated through United Alliance Company of Nigeria, a company they both jointly controlled.
The loans were reportedly written off with the approval of Sanusi.
Sanusi was suspended by President Goodluck Jonathan a few weeks ago following his indictment for “financial recklessness and misconduct” by the FRC. Sanusi has however denied any wrongdoing.
Some analysts have suggested that he was suspended because he blew the whistle on an alleged “missing $20 billion” proceed from the sale of crude. The Presidency however insists that Sanusi’s suspension had nothing to do with his revelation.
It is now obvious for all to see that Sanusi is nothing close to the saint he claims to be. How can fire just gut his office days after the anouncement of investigation into his past activities. More of Sanusi’s evil deeds will sure revealed in due time then he along with his co evil doers will sent to where they belong, Jail.
It is now obvious that all the allegations against Sanusi are true, he is a criminal, a thief and a terrorist. He should be put where he belongs, jail.
Lol…the most precise description of the analogy,’those in glass houses ought not to throw stones’, I have ever encountered. However, fingers are crossed and we see how it plays out.The wonderful thing about the Nigerian case is that, no one amongst the ruling elite is absolutely without blemish and thus, can be easily indicted…their sins will catch up with them surely and at the appointed time they will pay accordingly.