ABUJA. — Nigeria has seized the passport of ousted central bank governor Lamido Sanusi, an ally of the outspoken government critic said last Friday, a day after he was removed from office in a move that sparked fears of economic turmoil. President Goodluck Jonathan suspended the widely respected central bank chief on Thursday over allegations of misconduct, a move many analysts saw as politically motivated.
Sanusi, who learned of his suspension while at a regional bankers meeting in Niger, flew back to Lagos and was met by officers from Nigeria’s main intelligence branch, according to Nasir el Rufai, a former cabinet member and Sanusi ally.
Rufai told AFP the intelligence agents allowed Sanusi to leave the terminal, but seized his passport.
“I spoke with (Sanusi) this morning and there is no indication that the passport has been returned,” Rufai further said.
The intelligence branch, known as the Directorate for State Services, could be not immediately reached for comment. Sanusi has dismissed the allegations of misconduct against him and said he believed he was removed because of his attacks on the powerful state Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). — AFP.