Jonathan Orders Probe of Bank PHB MD and Lawyer

Acting President Goodluck Jonathan has instructed security services to investigate Bank PHB Managing Director, Cyril Chukwuma and the bank's counsel, Ajibola Aribisala, over claims by his counsel at the Lagos High Court that his client was threatened by the Acting President to reach an amicable settlement with Zenon Oil President, Femi Otedola over a lawsuit involving Otedola and the bank or risk sack.

Jonathan, in a statement yesterday by his spokesman Ima Niboro said he has directed a thorough investigation into the matter.

It reads: "Our attention has been drawn to the DAILY INDEPENDENT report of Monday, April 26, 2010 with the headline: "Otedola: Jonathan threatens to sack Bank PHB MD". This false and outrightly seditious report claimed the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, made telephone calls to Bank PHB's MD, Cyril Chukwuma, to withdraw a civil suit against Zenon Oil's Femi Otedola or face sack."
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Jonathan said the report is the handiwork of mischief makers and urged "all well meaning citizens to ignore this foolish story, which is so outlandish that only a newspaper with an ax to grind could have published it. There is no need to point out that it would be ridiculous for the President of Nigeria, whether acting or substantive, to place a call to some bank CEO he doesn't know from Adam to discuss issues between the bank and its client."

He claimed that the report was part of the widely acknowledged psychological warfare being waged against the presidency.

"Anyone that has a case to answer with the anti-corruption agencies should do so without dragging Dr. Jonathan into it. He will not interfere with their work, and there shall be no sacred cows!" the statement said.

Source;Today's Daily Trust.

Excellent attempt at transparency and tackling corruption.