The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed a fresh 26-count charge bordering on abuse of office & corruption against the immediate former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele.
This is just as President Bola Tinubu on Friday, declared the probe of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by Jim Obazee closed.
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.
Channels Television’s Judiciary Correspondent Shola Soyele obtained a copy of the charge sheet which was filed on April 3rd 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.”
While declaring the probe of CBN closed, President Tinubu lauded Jim Obazee who was the special investigator.
Presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said this in a Friday statement.
“President Bola Tinubu thanks Mr Jim Obazee, former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), for his services as the Special Investigator of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other related entities, upon his appointment on July 28, 2023,” the statement read.
“The President commends Mr. Obazee for the dedication and professionalism he exercised in handling the complexities of this critical national assignment.
“Subsequent to the conclusion of the assignment and the submission of a final comprehensive report, and with the winding up of all apparatuses used during the scope of the task which terminated on March 31, 2024, the investigation is formally closed, with all appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies already conducting follow-up action.”
Obazee was appointed to probe the CBN in the wake of Godwin Emefiele’s suspension as the apex bank chief.
In December, Obazee submitted a report to President Tinubu and accused Emefiele of gross financial offences.
STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU THANKS JIM OBAZEE FOR SERVICES AS SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR OF THE CBN AT CONCLUSION OF INVESTIGATION
President Bola Tinubu thanks Mr. Jim Obazee, former Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), for his services as the Special Investigator of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other related entities, upon his appointment on July 28, 2023.
The President commends Mr. Obazee for the dedication and professionalism he exercised in handling the complexities of this critical national assignment.
Subsequent to the conclusion of the assignment and the submission of a final comprehensive report, and with the winding up of all apparatuses used during the scope of the task which terminated on March 31, 2024, the investigation is formally closed, with all appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies already conducting follow-up action.
The President thanks Mr. Obazee for answering the call of duty while wishing him success in his future endeavours.
Chief Ajuri Ngelale
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
April 5, 2024
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