President Bola Tinubu has expressed gratitude to Mr. Jim Obazee, the Central Bank Investigator, for his dedicated service as the months-long investigation comes to a close. In an official statement released on Friday by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, Tinubu acknowledged the completion of the comprehensive investigation and the subsequent winding up of all relevant processes.
Tinubu highlighted the commencement of follow-up actions by appropriate law enforcement and regulatory agencies now that the investigation has concluded. He commended Obazee for his professionalism and commitment to the critical national assignment entrusted to him.
The President’s appointment of Obazee as a special investigator on July 30, 2023, was grounded in the administration’s anti-corruption efforts, as outlined in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution. Over the course of eight months, Obazee was tasked with strengthening accountability and rooting out corruption within the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and related entities.
Under Obazee’s leadership, immediate steps were taken to enhance the integrity of key Government Business Entities (GBEs) and curb financial leakages. Tinubu directed him to compile a comprehensive report on illicitly acquired public wealth and to collaborate with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to execute the investigation.
Throughout the investigation, Obazee provided weekly briefings to President Tinubu on progress made, demonstrating transparency and accountability in the process. Tinubu underscored the gravity of the assignment, including the suspension of CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele on June 9, 2023, as part of the investigation.
Emefiele’s subsequent arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and transfer to Abuja underscored the seriousness with which the investigation was conducted. As the investigation concludes, President Tinubu expressed confidence in the integrity of the process and wished Obazee success in his future endeavors.