The? Central Bank of Nigeria yesterday said it was yet to be served any court papers in respect of a suit filed by Victor E. Dike, alleging that the CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi plagiarised his work.?
The CBN in a statement signed by? its Director, Corporate Communications Mr Ugochukwu Okorafor? said “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to reports in the media regarding a suit against the Governor, SanusiLamidoSanusi, by one Victor E. Dike, who is said to be a professor of Engineering and Technology, National University Sacramento, USA.
“It is important to provide some clarifications on the matter. First, as at the time of release of this statement, no court papers in respect of the said suit, had been served on the governor.”
The statement said further “and for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that Mallam SanusiLamidoSanusi did not write the said paper.? Governors of the Central Bank of Nigeria, just like Chief Executive Officers of similar institutions in Nigeria and abroad, deliver papers, not in their personal capacities, but on behalf of the institutions for which they are chief spokespersons.
In the case of the CBN, such papers, even though presented by the Governor, represent our collective views and are prepared by professional researchers in the relevant departments of the Bank. We can vouch that such papers are prepared in line with strict global and ethical standards.”
The apex bank explained that “As a responsible public institution, we always cooperate fully with court officers and our well trained and responsible security officers have ever been under strict instructions to treat them with the appropriate dignity and respect they deserve.
“While awaiting details of the alleged suit, it is pertinent to state that speeches delivered by the current Governor, focus on the core mandates of the Bank and are direct contributions to discourse on national development.”
The news media were awash with reports Tuesday that the US-based professor sued the CBN governor for plagiarising his work in a paper the CBN governor presented at the Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State.