Tension and unease are reportedly spreading among the upper echelons of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a special investigative team, deployed to support a Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has commenced intelligence gathering, according to a report by Daily Trust.
This development follows the dismissal and subsequent arrest of Godwin Emiefele, the former CBN governor, which prompted President Tinubu to appoint Jim Obazee as a Special Investigator to probe the activities of the CBN and related entities.
President Tinubu’s decision, communicated in a letter dated July 28, cited the fundamental objective outlined in Section 15(5) of the Nigerian Constitution as the basis for Obazee’s appointment, emphasizing its alignment with the administration’s anti-corruption campaign.
Jim Obazee, who previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) until 2017, was tasked with this investigation with immediate effect, reporting directly to the president.
Daily Trust has learned that the Special Investigator, in a letter dated August 18, requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to deploy four senior officers to his office to facilitate the smooth commencement and execution of the assignment. The IGP granted approval in a letter dated September 6, listing the deployed officers as DCP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, CSP Celestine Odo, CSP Segun Aderoju, and DSP Tijani A. Bako.
Startling preliminary intelligence findings by DCP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo and his team are reportedly causing anxiety among top CBN management and the Nigerian Incentive Risk-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL). The investigations are said to encompass NIRSAL and the Anchor Borrowers Programme, which have been subjects of scrutiny over the years.
President Tinubu recently ordered the recovery of all funds allocated to these agricultural programs. This directive followed multiple corruption allegations that emerged during the tenure of the former Managing Director of NIRSAL, Aliyu Abbati Abdulhameed, who was dismissed by ex-President Muhammadu Buhari in December of the previous year.
In addition to these investigations, the team will reportedly examine the alleged allocation of approximately 600,000 monthly for the upkeep of the former MD’s dogs. The investigation also aims to unravel how Anchor Borrowers Funds were held in fixed deposits by parties with connections to the former CBN governor.
An unnamed insider disclosed that individuals involved in the fixed deposits, whose identities were withheld, are currently in a state of panic. This includes an aide of the ex-CBN governor, who reportedly operated a total of 61 bank accounts, including 44 fixed deposit accounts and 2 treasury bills accounts.
The Inspector General of Police nominated DCP Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo to lead the Special Investigator’s support team as part of his commitment to overhauling the Nigeria Police Force and supporting President Tinubu’s fight against corruption and economic sabotage. DCP Eloho is known for his extensive investigative experience, spanning over 20 years, and his expertise in economic, financial, cybercrime, and other white-collar crime investigations.
His investigative journey began at the state level with the FCT Police Command, where he headed the Commissioner’s Monitoring Unit between 2005 and 2008. He later served in various capacities at the national level, including at the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, and Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in 2008, where he headed several sensitive sections.
DCP Eloho’s appointment reflects a concerted effort to address economic crimes, corruption, and financial misconduct at the highest levels of government and related institutions. It underscores the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Daily Trust also reported that the ongoing investigations have prompted the destruction of office files and records at NIRSAL. These actions are believed to be attempts to hinder the progress of the investigation. Among the destroyed documents is said to be a contract related to the development of the ICT Policy, which has raised concerns about the ability of the investigation team to obtain necessary records and documents.
Contacted for comment, Sheriff Salaudeen, the Head of Procurement at NIRSAL, stated that the organization does not destroy its files or records. However, he declined further comment and insisted on providing information only in response to a written request communicated to NIRSAL.
These recent developments indicate a heightened focus on combating corruption and financial impropriety in Nigeria, particularly within critical institutions like the CBN and NIRSAL. President Tinubu’s commitment to addressing these issues underscores the administration’s determination to promote transparency and accountability.
