PRIMATE of the Anglican Communion (Nigeria), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, yesterday described the persistence of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, on Islamic banking as “a follow up to demands by Boko Haram for the application of Sharia law all over the country”.


He said: “In 10 years from now, it will have grown and matured to what it is intended to be - a religious oppressive instrument and tool for social coercion of the poor to convert to Islam,” reiterating that it was “heavily skewed to put other non-interest banking at a disadvantage.”


Addressing newsmen in Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Okoh declared “We have closely followed the CBN Governor as he arranged and rearranged his proposals. The approach of the CBN Governor on the issue of non-interest banking as it affects non-Muslims is less than sincere.”
Arguing that Nigeria’s configuration could not be compared to countries, such as the United Kingdom which, according to him, watch over their constitutions jealously, the Primate called on Sanusi to make adequate arrangement for non-interest banking generally and allow various groups to tap from it.


“Yes, many Nigerians are worried the way and manner the CBN Governor rides rough over other people’s faith to promote Islam. Let it be emphatically said that Islamic banking is not only banking, and should not be left to bankers. It is part and parcel of Islamic evangelism.


“It is a follow up to the OIC membership, the Sharia agenda, awkward membership of D8 and demands by Boko Haram for the application of Sharia all over the country,” he said