LAGOS, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Cecilia Ibru has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos, challenging her removal as the head of the bank, the News Agency of Nigeria reported on Wednesday.

Ibru, in the suit filed Tuesday by her counsel Taiwo Osipitan contended that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) acted hastily and in bad faith by removing her as the chief executive of the bank.

The former bank chief said she was never given any opportunity to defend herself before the sack.

She alleged that her sack was part of an elaborate design by the CBN to sell Oceanic bank to its friends under the guise of core investors.

"The appointment of John Aboh to replace me was part of CBN design to sell the bank to whoever he nominates," she said.

Ibru wants the court to determine whether the CBN is not bound to observe the rules of natural justice and fair hearing by hearing her side of the story before sacking her.

She also wants an order setting aside her removal and an order restraining Aboh from occupying or parading himself as the Chief Executive Officer of Oceanic bank.

Ibru is also demanding an injunction prohibiting the CBN, their servants, agents or privies from acting in pursuance of their directives and from preventing her from functioning as the managing director of the bank.

But the apex bank in its preliminary objection filed by its Counsel Kola Awodine contended that Ibru lacked the locus standi to institute the action.

It also said the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

The CBN also contended that the plaintiff's suit could not be justified, noting that it did not disclose any reasonable cause of action and should be dismissed.

No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

The CBN, on Aug. 14, removed Ibru as managing director of Oceanic bank alleging mismanagement of depositor's funds and abuse of office.

She was sacked along with chief executives of three other banks on that day.