FOI: Aturu demands disclosure of Sanusi’s salary

By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor Lagos —A demand for the disclosure of the salary, allowances and other entitlements enjoyed by the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was, yesterday, submitted to the bank under the Freedom of Information Act.
Leading civil right activist, Mr. Bamidele Aturu made the request in a letter to the CBN governor made available to Vanguard, yesterday.
Aturu’s demand is on behalf of a lawyer, Anthony Itedjere and according to Mr. Aturu was made to determine if the incumbent governor, Sanusi is one of the public officials guzzling public funds.
Letter to CBN
Mr. Aturu in the letter dated December 31, 2012 is also demanding how much and at what cost it takes for the CBN governor to travel within and outside Nigeria and whether he also uses chartered aircraft for his travels.
Mr. Aturu whilst also demanding the number of drivers attached to the CBN governor said he would go to court to compel the bank to provide the information should the bank fail to supply the information within the required seven days as provided in the Freedom of Information Act.
“We believe that the CBN governor is one of those preaching for transparency and public accountability and that is why we are starting with him, so we want to know if his office is one of those guzzling public too much money,” Aturu told Vanguard last night.
“We are starting with the CBN governor because he is one of those that have been very vocal on the cost of governance and we are going to do it for many other offices and it is part of our action to enthrone public accountability,” Aturu further disclosed.
The letter requesting the information read thus:
RE: REQUEST FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING RECURRENT EXPENDITURE (S) ON YOU AND YOUR OFFICE PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 1, 3 AND 4 OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2011
Compliments of the Season!
We are solicitors to Anthony Itedjere Esq., a Nigerian citizen and solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on whose behalf and instruction we write this letter.
Our client is interested in certain information which is in possession and or custody of the Central Bank of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as ‘the bank’) and your office. Kindly provide the information to the best of your knowledge in the interest of transparency and openness which you have been advertised as championing.
Request
You are hereby specifically requested to make available to our client or grant to him access to:
1. The Central Bank Act provides that your salary, fee, wages or other remuneration or allowances shall be stipulated from time to time by the Board subject to the approval of the President.
a. How much is your total remuneration (that is salary plus allowances) per month?
b. Do you charge the Bank or the Federal Government of Nigeria any fee outside your monthly remuneration? If so, state any such fee you have received since becoming the Governor of the bank.
c. Do you travel business class or economy within Nigeria?
d. Do you travel first class, business class or economy when travelling out of Nigeria?
e. Have you ever used chartered plane for any of your travels within and outside Nigeria?
f. If your answer to 1e above is in the affirmative, kindly list all such instances specifying the dates, the airline(s), the cost and the duration of the charter?
g. Does the Bank own an aircraft? If so, what is the cost of the craft and the cost of its servicing and maintenance?
h. How many drivers are attached to your office by the bank?
i. How many cleaners are attached to your office by the bank?
j. How many drivers are attached to your house by the bank?
k. How many cleaners are attached to your house by the bank?
l. How much is your monthly imprest?
m. When you travel within Nigeria, how much is your allowance?
n. When you travel outside Nigeria, how much is your allowance?
o. When last did you spend your personal money on purchasing fuel since you became the Governor of the bank?
However, if you think that another agency of the Government has greater interest in the information requested for, you are obliged under Section 5 of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 to transfer this request to the other agency within 3 days, howbeit not later than 7 days of receiving this request.
Our client shall pay the necessary fees for the information. Be notified that if you fail to provide the above information within the period stipulated by law we shall proceed against you in accordance with the provisions of the law.
We have no doubt that you will accede to this very friendly request.
Accept the renewed assurances of our very high regards.
Thank you.
Yours faithfully,
Bamidele Aturu Esq.