Drama as Reps insists CBN Governor must brief parliament physically

For the second time in two weeks, CBN Governor fails to appear before the Green Chamber to brief lawmakers on recent Cash Withdrawal Limit policy and sundry issues. House insists it is necessary Emefiele or his deputy appear in accordance with parliament’s resolution 

The House of Representatives is insisting that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, must appear before the Green Chamber to fully brief the parliament on the bank’s recent monetary policies, particularly the cash withdrawal limit.

This resolution followed a second letter from Emiefele to the House on Tuesday, stating that he would be unavailable because he was still preoccupied with an official assignment outside the country.

The House had, through a motion of Urgent National Importance two weeks ago, summoned the apex bank governor to appear before it last Thursday over the Cash Withdrawal Limit policy of N100,000 and N500,000 for individuals and organisations, respectively.

Emefiele, however, wrote to the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, where he explained that his trip to the United States of America with President Muhammadu Buhari prevented him from honouring the invitation, pledging to brief the lawmakers at the “earliest time possible.”  He also sent a similar letter to the House this week, prompting the House to re-invite the governor on Thursday this week for him to brief the parliament.

READ ALSO: “Emefiele can’t appear before House at this time” – CBN writes Reps

Earlier, the Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Elumelu, had reminded the House that it had already taken a resolution on the matter, asking that the policy be suspended. He noted what the House should be interested in was the implementation of the resolution and not necessarily, the physical appearance of the governor.

In his ruling, the Speaker noted that Emefiele or his deputy needed to appear and fully brief the House with the required information, as stipulated in the laws of the land and the resolution of the parliament.

Gbajabiamila added that he would want to know the official assignment that had kept the governor away for two weeks.