Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has responded vehemently to the outcomes of an investigative report conducted during his tenure, accusing the Special Investigator, Mr. Jim Obaze, of pursuing a “satanic agenda.”
Emefiele’s reaction comes after allegations surfaced that he illegally lodged billions of naira in 593 bank accounts across the United States, United Kingdom, and China without the approval of the CBN’s Board of Directors and Investment Committee. According to the report submitted to President Bola Tinubu, Obaze revealed that Emefiele deposited £543,482,213 in fixed deposits in UK banks alone without proper authorization.
In a statement released shortly after his release from prison, Emefiele categorically denied the allegations, stating that he was not involved in opening the accounts and had no knowledge of their existence. He went on to call the contents of the publications false, misleading, and aimed at disparaging his character.
Emefiele addressed specific issues raised in the report, including the claim that there was no presidential approval for the Naira redesign, stating unequivocally that such approval existed and had been handed over to Jim Obaze during the investigative process. He also challenged Obaze to publish the documents related to the alleged withdrawal of $6.23 million from the CBN vault based on a false presidential directive, asserting that he had no knowledge of such a directive.
Regarding the 593 foreign accounts, Emefiele asserted that he was not involved in their opening and had no knowledge of the fixed deposits. He clarified that the relevant departments of the CBN have the authority to carry out such activities within their lawful mandate.
Emefiele expressed confidence that a thorough and transparent investigation would clear his name and instructed his lawyers to commence legal proceedings to address the defamatory statements contained in the report and subsequent publications. The former CBN governor remains resolute in defending his reputation against what he deems a “satanic agenda” by the investigator.
