President Bola Tinubu, on Friday, thanked the Central Bank Investigator, Mr Jim Obazee, for his services, officially closing the months-long investigation.
“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,” a statement on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, read.
The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu thanks Jim Obazee as special investigator of the CBN at conclusion of investigation.’
Tinubu noted that with the investigations closed, all appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies have since begun conducting follow-up action.
The President commended Obazee for the dedication and professionalism he exercised in handling the complexities of this critical national assignment.
He thanked the CBN’s investigator for answering the call of duty while wishing him success in his future endeavours.
On July 30, 2023, the President appointed Obazee as a special investigator to probe the apex bank and related entities.
In a letter dated July 28, 2023, Tinubu premised Obazee’s appointment on the fundamental objective outlined in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution saying it was in furtherance of his administration’s anti-corruption fight.
The investigation began with immediate effect.
In the eight months of investigations, Obazee was mandated to take immediate steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of key Government Business Entities and block leakages in the CBN and related GBEs.
Tinubu also directed him to provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments (whether private or public).
Obazee was also mandated to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent, and capable team and to work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on the assignment.
He was directed to brief the president weekly on the progress being made concerning the assignment.
In the letter, Tinubu drew Obazee’s attention to his directive to suspend the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, on June 9, 2023.
Emefiele was afterwards arrested in his Lagos home by operatives of the Department of State Services and flown to Abuja.
