In a detailed report submitted to President Bola Tinubu, the special investigator appointed to probe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) activities during Godwin Emefiele’s tenure, Jim Obazee, has uncovered a series of corruption allegations and financial misappropriations.
The report, obtained by Naija News, provides explicit evidence of alleged mismanagement of funds, unauthorized transactions, and questionable financial practices. Among the startling revelations are:
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List of Godwin Emefiele Alleged Gross Financial Misconduct
1. Unauthorized Funded Bank Accounts: Emefiele is accused of overseeing 593 unauthorized bank accounts located in the UK, US, and China.
2. Fraudulent Cash Withdrawal: A purported approval from the president was cited for the fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the CBN vault, ostensibly to pay foreign election observers.
3. Gross Financial Misconduct: Emefiele, along with at least 13 other individuals, including his Deputy Governors, is implicated in gross financial misconduct.
4. Fixed Deposit in Foreign Currency: The former CBN Governor allegedly maintained £543.4 million in fixed deposit accounts.
5. Manipulation of Naira Exchange Rate: Emefiele is accused of manipulating the Naira exchange rate and perpetrating fraud in the e-Naira project.
6. Questionable Printing of Currency: The report claims that the CBN printed new N200, N500, and N1,000 notes at a total cost of N61.5 billion, with N31.8 billion already paid to the contractor.
7. Dubious Legal Fees: N1.73 billion was reportedly spent on questionable legal fees related to 19 cases linked to the Naira Redesign and reconfiguration agenda.
8. Foreign Payments for Naira Redesign: £205,000 was allegedly paid to a UK firm for the Naira Redesign effort.
9. Misuse of Ways & Means: The report points to a fraudulent use of Ways & Means amounting to N26.627 trillion.
10. COVID-19 Intervention Funds Mismanagement: Emefiele is accused of mismanaging approximately N1.622 trillion in COVID-19 intervention funds.
11. Misrepresentation of Presidential Approval: Alleged misrepresentation of presidential approval on the NESI Stabilization Strategy Ltd.
12. Padding of Approvals: The former CBN Governor and four Deputies are accused of padding former President Buhari’s approval with N198.96 billion.
13. Illegal Securitization: No approvals were allegedly received for the breakdown of N22.72 trillion presented to the 9th National Assembly to illegally securitize the “Ways & Means” financing.
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These revelations, if proven true, indicate a significant breach of financial integrity and raise concerns about the transparency and accountability of the Central Bank’s operations during Emefiele’s tenure.
The report has been submitted to President Tinubu for further action, and citizens await the response from relevant authorities in addressing these serious allegations.