A Special Investigator has been appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to probe the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and related entities even as the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Federal government.
The President, on sunday announced the appointment of Jim Osayande Obazee, the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), as the investigator.
In the guidelines given to Obazee, the President asked the Special Investigator to investigate CBN and key Government Business Entities (GBEs), stressing that Obazee would report directly to his office.
“In accordance with the fundamental objective set forth in Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), this administration is, today, continuing the fight against corruption by appointing you as a Special Investigator, to investigate the CBN and Related Entities. This appointment shall be with immediate effect and you are to report directly to my office.”
“The full terms of your engagement as Special Investigator shall be communicated to you in due course but, require that you immediately take steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of key Government Business Entities (GBEs), further block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments (whether private or public).
“You are to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment. I shall expect a weekly briefing on the progress being made,” the letter reads.
Godwin Emefiele was suspended as the Governor of the CBN on June 9, 2023 and was immediately arrested by the DSS.
He was later arraigned in court last week at the Lagos High Court and granted bail at the sum of N20 million and a surety in similar sum. However, he was rearrested by the DSS.
