Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Sanusi Lamido
Sanusi has revealed that he earns N25, 000 per night as incidental allowance on
his trips within the country.
He said this in response to the request by a Lagos based lawyer,
Bamidele Aturu, for details of his remuneration and expenditures in accordance
with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011. He however failed to disclose
his allowances for foreign trips as well as his full remuneration as he insisted
that they were as approved by the Presidency. But in a swift reaction, Aturu said that he was not satisfied
with the CBN Governor’s replies, and insisted that he must reveal the full
details of his earnings and allowances.
Bamidele Aturu, for details of his remuneration and expenditures in accordance
with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011. He however failed to disclose
his allowances for foreign trips as well as his full remuneration as he insisted
that they were as approved by the Presidency. But in a swift reaction, Aturu said that he was not satisfied
with the CBN Governor’s replies, and insisted that he must reveal the full
details of his earnings and allowances.
The lawyer noted that he planned to do a follow up on the
request as it appeared that the CBN had misunderstood some of the questions.
Nonetheless, he commended the Governor for his response and said
that it would encourage other public institutions to conduct their affairs
transparently.
that it would encourage other public institutions to conduct their affairs
transparently.
“We are impressed that the Governor is entitled to only N25, 000
as daily allowance when he travels within Nigeria. That is not excessive at all
by Nigerian public officials’ standards and given his lofty position. However,
it is a little troubling that while the Bank was willing to state the local
daily allowance it refused to state what the Governor earns when he travels
outside the country.
as daily allowance when he travels within Nigeria. That is not excessive at all
by Nigerian public officials’ standards and given his lofty position. However,
it is a little troubling that while the Bank was willing to state the local
daily allowance it refused to state what the Governor earns when he travels
outside the country.
Aturu, in a letter dated December 31, 2001 had requested that
the CBN Governor provide information concerning recurrent expenditures for him
and his office pursuant to Sections 1, 3 and 4 of the FOI Act 2011.
the CBN Governor provide information concerning recurrent expenditures for him
and his office pursuant to Sections 1, 3 and 4 of the FOI Act 2011.
Sanusi who responded through the CBN Legal Adviser/Director,
Legal Services Department S. M. Onekutu said that, “The Governor’s remuneration
is as stipulated by the Board and approved by Mr President in accordance with
Section 8(3) of the CBN Act.
Legal Services Department S. M. Onekutu said that, “The Governor’s remuneration
is as stipulated by the Board and approved by Mr President in accordance with
Section 8(3) of the CBN Act.
“Besides the governor’s emolument and indeed the emolument
structure of the CBN is benchmarked against the banking industry as approved in
the federal government’s white paper on the presidential committee on
consolidation of emoluments in the Public Service.
structure of the CBN is benchmarked against the banking industry as approved in
the federal government’s white paper on the presidential committee on
consolidation of emoluments in the Public Service.
“However, we are unable to release the details of the Governor’s
salary and allowances as that information is already a subject of litigation in
Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1016/2011: Uzoegwu F. O. C Vs CBN & HAGF. The matter is
on appeal and it will be prejudicial to comment on it.”
salary and allowances as that information is already a subject of litigation in
Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1016/2011: Uzoegwu F. O. C Vs CBN & HAGF. The matter is
on appeal and it will be prejudicial to comment on it.”
Other requests bordered on allowances on foreign trips, whether
the CBN owned aircraft, what classes of flight the governor travelled in when
on official trips within and outside the country, how many cleaners, drivers
are attached to the governor’s office and residence as well as how much imprest
he collects monthly among others.
the CBN owned aircraft, what classes of flight the governor travelled in when
on official trips within and outside the country, how many cleaners, drivers
are attached to the governor’s office and residence as well as how much imprest
he collects monthly among others.
Onekutu disclosed that the governor travels Business Class
within the country and First Class outside Nigeria and added that Sanusi had
occasionally used chartered planes to travel within and outside the country as
dictated by exigencies.
within the country and First Class outside Nigeria and added that Sanusi had
occasionally used chartered planes to travel within and outside the country as
dictated by exigencies.
On how many drivers are attached to Sanusi’s office and home he
said “the governor’s official drivers are drawn from the pool of drivers in the
Governor’s Department, and are sourced from the pool of drivers in the
Governor’s Office Department on need basis. On number of cleaners, he said “the
Bank (CBN), as a matter of policy does not employ cleaners, therefore, there
are no cleaners attached to his office or home.
said “the governor’s official drivers are drawn from the pool of drivers in the
Governor’s Department, and are sourced from the pool of drivers in the
Governor’s Office Department on need basis. On number of cleaners, he said “the
Bank (CBN), as a matter of policy does not employ cleaners, therefore, there
are no cleaners attached to his office or home.
On monthly imprest he said “No monthly imprest is maintained by
the Governor” Onekutu said and maintained that the Governor’s entitlement for
foreign trips is as approved by the Federal Government.
the Governor” Onekutu said and maintained that the Governor’s entitlement for
foreign trips is as approved by the Federal Government.
“We still expect the Governor to answer the question as he
is in a position to know exactly what he earns and if he does not know he could
have simply said so.
is in a position to know exactly what he earns and if he does not know he could
have simply said so.
“We agree with the Bank that the time frame we gave, as required
by law, was insufficient to calculate or sum up the amount spent on chartered
flights within and outside Nigeria. To this end, we shall be doing a follow up
and although we are required to give seven days, we promise the bank not to sue
immediately until about 28 days after the follow up to give the bank added tome
to add up the figures,” Aturu stated.
by law, was insufficient to calculate or sum up the amount spent on chartered
flights within and outside Nigeria. To this end, we shall be doing a follow up
and although we are required to give seven days, we promise the bank not to sue
immediately until about 28 days after the follow up to give the bank added tome
to add up the figures,” Aturu stated.
Source: Leadership
