The appointment of a special investigator by President Bola Tinubu to look into the Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, and other government business entities has the support of economists and civil society organizations.
In various interviews with The Spectator on Sunday, the experts and NGOs argued that the probe was required to find out whether the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, and other senior government officials had broken any laws or been accused of abusing their positions.
Their remarks followed Tinubu’s choice of Jim Obazee, the former CEO of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, as Special Investigator to look into the CBN, NNPCL, and other government-owned businesses.
Tinubu instructed the special investigator in a letter seen by The Spectator on Sunday to collaborate with security and anti-corruption organizations to provide a thorough report on public money currently held by corrupt individuals and organizations, whether private or public.
The letter states that the appointment is effective immediately and that the investigator must give a weekly report to the President.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the FRCN are two additional GBEs that the investigation will reportedly include, according to The Spectator’ findings published on Sunday.
Emefiele was rearrested by the Department of State Services just a week after being charged with illegally possessing firearms in court and given bail.
The President, in the letter which he personally signed, said the move was in continuation of the government’s anti-corruption fight.
The letter, dated July 28, 2023, read, “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.
“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, 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).
“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.”
