Emefiele Denies $6.23 Million Withdrawal Claim, Labels Obazee’s Findings False

The embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has responded to the allegations made by Jim Obazee, a private investigator appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Emefiele, who was recently released on bail from Kuje prison, denies any knowledge of a directive to withdraw $6.23 million from the CBN vault, as claimed in the report.

In his detailed rebuttal, Emefiele challenges Obazee to produce both written and oral records of the interrogation session where he allegedly denied knowledge of the said directive. Emefiele dismisses the publications surrounding the report as false and asserts that they are intended to tarnish his reputation for the benefit of the private investigator.

Following his release, Emefiele became aware of publications by Punch Newspaper and Premium Times, attributing their information to Jim Obazee’s report. Emefiele categorically rejects the contents of these publications as false, misleading, and aimed at damaging his character. He calls on Obazee to release the documents and statements from the interrogation, asserting his innocence.

Addressing the specific claim of a $6.23 million withdrawal based on a false presidential directive, Emefiele emphasizes that he verbally and in writing informed Obazee that he had no knowledge of such a directive from former President Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha. He challenges Obazee to publish the documents and statements to substantiate the allegations.

On the accusation that former President Buhari never approved the naira redesign policy, Emefiele contradicts this, asserting that not only did Buhari approve the policy, but he also publicly endorsed it on multiple occasions. Emefiele provides further details, stating that the presidential approval was handed over to Obazee during the investigation in the presence of senior CBN officials.

Regarding the claim of 593 foreign accounts allegedly owned by Emefiele, he distances himself from the fixed deposits in those accounts, emphasizing that such activities fall under the lawful mandate of relevant CBN departments. Emefiele supports calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the alleged fraud and instructs his lawyers to commence legal proceedings to clear his name.

The backdrop to these developments is a leaked report by the Special Investigation on the Central Bank of Nigeria, suggesting financial and legal irregularities during Emefiele’s tenure. The report, titled “REPORT OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR ON CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN) AND RELATED ENTITIES (Chargeable offences),” raises questions about the operations of the CBN and accuses Emefiele and other officials of wrongdoing.

However, it’s essential to note that the allegations in the report, including those against Emefiele, are yet to be independently verified. Emefiele is currently facing charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the report alleges irregularities under his leadership, extending to deputy governors who served during his tenure.

The report also claims that Mustapha, along with Emefiele, authorized the removal of cash from the CBN vault under the guise of funding foreign election observer missions. The report cites CCTV footage allegedly capturing the movement of the money out of the apex bank.

As the situation unfolds, Emefiele is taking a proactive stance, seeking to clear his name through legal means and challenging the credibility of the allegations made against him. The outcome of this controversy will likely have significant implications for the perception of the CBN and its leadership during the period under scrutiny.