Lobby group seeks to throw out CBK boss in Charterhouse suit
CBK governor Njuguna Ndung’u. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
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Concerned Kenyans also wants the Central Bank governor forced to release the reports of any investigation into Charterhouse Bank and make them public, arguing that his refusal is contrary to the law.
A lobby group is seeking the suspension of Central Bank Governor Njuguna Ndung’u over alleged refusal to re-open Charterhouse Bank, which was placed under statutory management in 2006 following money laundering allegations.
The group called Concerned Kenyans has accused the CBK governor of deliberately delaying the re-opening of Charterhouse Bank. The lobby has also accused Prof Ndung’u of slowing down the investigations into the money laundering claims by the police and Parliament, which it holds warrants a suspension.
“We pray for orders that the Attorney General advises the President to suspend the services of Prof Ndung’u and set up a tribunal to investigate his conduct,” said Bradley Ouna, the lobby group’s executive director.
Justice George Odunga, however, declined to certify the matter urgent, and will hear the case on October 8. He directed that the lobby group serves the respondents in the suit before the hearing.
Concerned Kenyans also wants the Central Bank governor forced to release the reports of any investigation into Charterhouse Bank and make them public, arguing that his refusal is contrary to the law. “Prof Ndung’u has refused to give written reasons for not reopening Charterhouse Bank. He has failed in his responsibility as regard to the activities of the bank,” said Mr Ouna.
The matter has also sucked in supermarket chain Nakumatt’s managing director Atul Shah, who has been sued alongside Prof Ndung’u, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the managing director of the bank and the Attorney- General.
Prof Ndung’u, who has been sued both in his capacity as the CBK governor and as an individual, has been accused of refusing to appear before parliamentary committees tasked with investigating the money laundering claims. Mr Ouna said in suit papers that Prof Ndung’u has refused to reopen the bank despite Parliament clearing it of the money laundering allegations last year. “The governor of Central Bank has deliberately and with contempt refused to reopen Charterhouse Bank. He is in violation of Article 35 of the Constitution which guarantees Kenyan citizens the right to access of information especially in matters of accountability and transparency,” added Mr Ouna.
