Former CBN Deputy Governor, Mailafia Is Dead

A former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Dr. Obadiah Mailafia is dead.

According to reports, Mailafia, 64, reportedly passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning, September 19, at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The family lawyer, Yakubu Bawa, confirmed the news on Sunday morning. According to Bawa, Mailafia’s death followed a brief illness.

Recall that Obadiah Mailafia stirred controversy after he granted an interview accusing most top government officials of sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria.

Also confirming his death, Fani-Kayode on his Twitter page wrote: “I am saddened by the passing of my dear friend & brother Mr. Obadiah Mailafiya who was one of the most powerful and progressive voices in our country. I was informed that he passed on this morning. He was a great nationalist, a believer in Nigeria, a kind and gentle soul.”

The former CBN Deputy Governor spent the latter part of his years advocating for a solution to the protracted killings in Southern Kaduna, which had been linked to armed herdsmen of Fulani origin.

Obadiah Mailafia became a frontline critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and security agencies as part of his advocacy and was recently invited by the State Security Service to explain some of his on-air comments about deliberate violence across the country.

Apart from working with the apex bank, the Kaduna State-born Mailafia was a renowned Public Affairs Analyst and he was the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress in the 2019 presidential election.

The deceased is survived by his wife.