Emefiele’s Suspension Brought Relief – Akande

The spokesman to former vice-president, Laolu Akande, has expressed support for suspension of Godwin Emefiele as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

President Bola Tinubu at the weekend suspended Emefiele and directed  transfer of his responsibilities to the deputy governor, operations directorate.

Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, the deputy governor, is expected to act as the CBN governor pending the conclusion of an investigation ordered by the president into Emefiele’s activities.

Reacting to the development, Akande, in a series of tweets, said persons of integrity would be “thankful” for the suspension of the CBN governor.

He said Emefiele failed to “redeem” himself despite being given a long rope, adding that his suspension brought relief.

“It was about time the CBN Governor faced suspension and investigation. All people of goodwill and those who value integrity, irrespective of political leanings would be thankful for this development,” he said.

“Emefiele was given a long rope but he failed to redeem himself.

“His shenanigans and the colossal damages he perpetrated at the CBN was to the utter detriment of the Nigerian people.”

In the latter days of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, Emefiele was criticised for the scarcity of naira notes triggered by CBN’s currency redesign policy.

In January 2023, Osinbajo said the cashless policy initiated by the CBN would go a long way to curb illicit election financing in the country.