By Chisaa Okoye (Business Reporter)
President Bola Tinubu has appointed a Special Investigator, Jim Obazee to probe activities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), weeks after he suspended Godwin Emefiele the apex bank governor.
The probe by Obazee, the pioneer executive secretary and a former chief executive officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), would be extended to related entities, a letter seen by ARMADANEWS has shown.
Tinubu, in the letter dated 28 July, explained that Obazee’s appointment, was based on the fundamental objective as provided in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution, and in furtherance of his administration’s war against corruption.
Specifically, the President directed Obazee to take immediate steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of Key Government Business Entities (GBEs) and block leakages in the CBN and other related entities.
Tinubu also directed the special investigator to provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and other private or public establishments.
Also, the president directed Obazee to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and to work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on the assignment.
According to the letter signed by the president, Obazee’s appointment is with immediate effect and he is to report directly to President Tinubu and to brief him weekly on the progress being made in the investigation.
The letter noted that his full terms of engagement as a special investigator will be communicated to him in due course.
Tinubu on June 9, suspended Emefiele as CBN governor. He was arrested by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) on June 10 at his Lagos home and flown to Abuja for interrogation.
The embattled former CBN governor was arraigned last week before the Federal High Court, Lagos, for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
He was granted bail by the trial judge, Justice Nicolas Oweibo but was re-arrested by operatives of DSS in the court premises and was taken to Abuja.