President Bola Tinubu has appointed Jim Obazee, a financial and anti-graft expert to uncover fraud at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other federal agencies.
In a letter addressed to Mr Obaze on July 28, President Tinubu appointed Mr Obazee as Special Investigator of the Central Bank of Nigeria and related Entities.
Tinubu said his appointment is a sequel to the fundamental objective set forth in Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).
According to the letter personally signed by President Tinubu, Mr Obaze’s appointment would take immediate effect and he is to 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.”
According to details of his appointment, Mr Obaze is to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably deliver on this assignment.
“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)”.
The President also noted that he expects weekly briefing from Mr Obaze on the progress of his assignment investigating the CBN
“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.”
“Find attached, herewith, my directive suspending the Governor of the CBN from office with effect from 9th June 2023″.
Last month President Tinubu suspended Godwin Emefile on allegations of corruption and terrorism financing. He was subsequently taken into custody by Nigeria’s secret police, where he is being investigated.
Mr Emefiele is being tried at the court on two counts of charges of alleged possession of illegal arms before the federal high court in Lagos. He has been granted a bail of N20 million.
