‘Court has vindicated Islamic bank opponents’

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mallam Lamido Sanusi 

The Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, Dr. Ola Makinde, and Kwara State Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. James Foloranmi, on Wednesday said the verdict of an Abuja Federal High Court on Friday that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Lamido Sanusi, had no powers to establish an Islamic bank in the country had vindicated the opponents of Islamic banking in Nigeria.

The court presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole had said the CBN governor did not have the power to establish an Islamic bank without the approval of the Head of State through the Minister of Finance.

In telephone interviews with our correspondent on Wednesday, Makinde said the verdict was commendable, adding that it had clarified the issue.

He added that there should not be any further attempt to ignite religious flames in the country. He cautioned that no religion should be favoured to the detriment of the others.

Makinde said, “Islamic banking is not good for this country.

“They want to force Islamic banking on us. We became members of Organisation of Islamic Countries through the back door. I do not think that Sanusi should hold a public office in this country. He is a religious fanatic. We have been able to establish that Sanusi cannot licence Islamic banking.”

Foloranmi said, “We thank God for the judiciary in this country. We have been saying that Islamic banking is illegal and we would not support it. I hope the Central Bank of Nigeria will listen and do the appropriate thing. The judgment has vindicated the people who said Islamic banking was illegal and unhealthy for Nigeria,” he said.

Source: The Punch