Just as the Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe the activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria under the Muhammadu Buhari administration has completed his assignment and sent a “final comprehensive report”, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, filed a fresh 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office and corruption against the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele will be arraigned before Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on Monday, April 8, on counts bordering on accepting gratification, accepting gifts through agents, corruption, receipt of property fraudulently obtained, and conferring corrupt advantage on his associates contrary to the Corrupt Practices Act of 2000.
According to Channels Television, the new charges were filed on April 3 by the EFCC Prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN.
Count one of the charge reads; “That you, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, between 2022 and 2023, in Lagos, directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 (two billion, one hundred and thirty-six million, three hundred and ninety-one thousand, seven hundred and thirty-seven dollars, thirty-three cents) without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”
Jim Obazee’s special Special Investigation findings are being used to prosecute the former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele.
President Bola Tinubu had, on 28 July 2023, designated Obazee as a Special Investigator to scrutinise the operations of the CBN and associated bodies.
Tinubu said the appointment was based on the fundamental aim outlined in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution, in line with the nation’s anti-corruption campaign.
The president mandated Obazee to promptly take measures to enhance the integrity and transparency of crucial Government Business Entities (GBEs) and prevent financial leakages in the CBN and related GBEs.
Obazee was instructed to produce a comprehensive report detailing the extent of public funds currently held by corrupt individuals and entities, whether private or public.
In his report, Obazee recommended the prosecution of Emefiele and at least 13 other individuals, including his deputy governors, for alleged financial misconduct.
His report also revealed that the controversial redesign of the Naira that stifled productivity and led to chaos in October 2022 “was neither recommended by the Board of the CBN nor approved” by the then President, Muhammadu Buhari, contrary to the provisions of Section 19 (1) of the CBN Act, 2007.
“It was a conspiracy against the Nigerian people and specifically the political class by the then CBN Governor (Godwin Emefiele) and one of the erstwhile CBN Deputy Governors (Folashodun Shonubi). The idea was that Shonubi (claiming interwoven challenges) and Godwin Emefiele designed and approved the currency on 19th October 2022.
“It was indeed meant to frustrate the political class and make their election agenda very difficult. It turned out to be a huge punishment to Nigerians and the Nigerian Economy coincidentally,” the report read.
