The Federal Government and the State Security Service have accused the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, of financing terrorism.
They made the allegation in counter-affidavits they deposed to before a Federal High Court which is hearing a suit instituted by Sanusi. The ex-CBN chief is seeking a perpetual injunction to restrain the SSS and the police from arresting him.
Sanusi’s lawyer, Mr. Kola Awodein, who made reference to the allegation on Monday, told the court it was an afterthought which government came up with after seizing Sanusi’s passport.
Awodein said, “The seizure of the applicant’s international passport by the third respondent, is a violation of his freedom of movement.
“The first to third respondents give conflicting reasons as to the complaint made against the applicant: This conflict goes to show that they acted without due process of the law.
“The allegation against the applicant as to funding of terrorism, is an afterthought by the respondents, which is not backed by facts, as there is no reasonable suspicion that the applicant committed any crime.
“The law clearly defines how such duties should be performed, and so, I invite your Lordship to hold that the applicant has a cause of action against the respondent.”
The SSS had seized Sanusi’s passport after he was suspended as CBN governor in March. Following that, he had instituted the suit to restrain the security agencies from arresting or harassing him.
The Attorney General of the Federation, represented by Dr. Fabian Ajogwu (SAN), and Mr. David Abuo and Mr. Moses Idakwo, representing the police and the SSS respectively, asked the court on Monday to dismiss Sanusi’s suit for lack of jurisdiction.
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