BY VINCENT UJUMADU

AWKA – Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Nnewi in Anambra State, Reverend Father Hygi Aghaulo, yesterday, described as a dangerous move plans by governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Malam Lamido Sanusi, to introduce the controversial Islamic banking in the country.

He warned of dire consequences if the Islamic banking system was allowed to operate.

At a briefing in Nnewi, Aghaulo said those promoting the banking system were economical with the truth, adding that  its mode of operation was shrouded in secrecy, in the same fashion as the Organisation of Islamic Conference, OIC.

He urged Christians to immediately summon their representatives in the various legislative houses and direct them on how to ensure that the banking system did not take root in the country, arguing that the bank was out only to protect  the interests of Muslims.

Aghaulo said that, if such a banking system was necessary, there should be a referendum for it to be debated and not for CBN governor and a few other people to force such important decisions down the throat of Nigerians.

He said: “It will be against the secularity of Nigeria as enshrined in Section 10 of the constitution to introduce such a bank in the country.

“We, Christians, are gravely concerned because making non-interest banks to be Sharia-compliant is a Muslim affair; we may end up fronting a financial institution that may be used for transferring money and sponsoring terrorism in the country.

“CBN should, therefore, terminate its membership of the Islamic Financial Services Board immediately and and Nigeria, its membership of OIC.”