Indeed, it is still rather puzzling to hear that the embattled Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, kept 593 illegal accounts.
How could he have operated those accounts without anyone informing a superior authority about it? Is it even bad for a governor of the Central Bank to have an account outside Nigeria?
Soon enough, you will find out the reality and why Godwin Emefiele may be in deeper trouble.
You see, the illegal 593 foreign accounts were kept while he was in office?
Did you also know that these accounts were heavily loaded with billions of naira?
Emefiele, while in office, introduced policies that were inimical to the growth of the economy.
This is one of the claims the government of Tinubu has put forward as their charges against him.
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Sadly, from what we know, many Nigerians have not recovered from the cashless policy that made Naira notes scarce.
All through this period, the CBN Governor had some hood sum of money kept away in foreign banks.
Investigators’ Report On Emefiele
While Emefiele is waiting to walk into his days of full-blown-trial, President Tinubu had ordered an investigation into his period as the Governor of the apax bank.
President Bola Tinubu’s Special Investigator, Jim Obaze, was saddled with that task.
Now, he has brought what you could describe as illegality to the light.
According to him, Emefiele operated 593 accounts in the United States, the United Kingdom and China.
Furthermore it was revealed by the special investigator that these fraudulent accounts were opened without any authorisation from the CBN board.
Obaze disclosed that Emefiele deposited £543,482,213 in fixed deposits in banks in the UK alone without authorisation.
An Investment?
Basically, this was contained in Obaze’s final report tagged, ‘Report of the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities (Chargeable offences)’ submitted to Tinubu.
The report reads: “The former CBN governor invested Nigeria’s money without authorisation in 593 foreign accounts.
“These illegal accounts operated by Emefiele were located in the United States, China and the United Kingdom.
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“All the accounts where the billions were lodged have all been traced by the investigator.
“In the UK alone, Emefiele kept £543,482,213 in fixed deposits without authorisation by the CBN board and the Investment Committee of the bank”.
First Shot At Corruption?
Indeed, this will open a new dimension to his trying time that some critics said was political.
Emefiele was picked up almost the night President Tinubu took over.
Critics dismiss it, alleging a personal vendetta by President Tinubu.
However, since then, his has remained in custody, with an inability to fulfill his bail conditions.
Meanwhile, the former CBN governor has remained in Kuje prison.
With the report of this investigation, more charges are expected in coming days.
Analysts say there is a likelihood he would be a scape goat in President Tinubu’s first shot at corruption. We wait, watch and see.
