In a letter dated 28th July, 2023, President Tinubu appointed Jim Osayande Obazee as a special investigator to continue the fight against corruption. The letter, bearing the President’s personal signature, was addressed to Obazee, who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN).

The President specified that the detailed terms of Obazee’s engagement would be furnished at a later time. However, he immediately tasked Obazee with taking necessary measures to prevent further leakages from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), promote transparency, and strengthen crucial government business entities.

According to the letter, the special investigator is to directly report to the President. Additionally, Obazee’s primary responsibility involves providing a comprehensive report on the current state of public wealth in the possession of “corrupt individuals and establishments.”

It stated “In accordance with the fundamental objective set forth in Section 15(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), this administration is, today, continuing the fight against corruption by appointing you as a Special Investigator, to investigate the CBN and Related Entities.

“This appointment shall be with immediate effect and you are to report directly to my office.

“The full terms of your engagement as Special Investigator shall be communicated to you in due course but, require that you immediately take steps to ensure the strengthening and probity of key Government Business Entities (GBEs), further block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments (whether private or public).

“You are to investigate the CBN and related entities using a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment.

“I shall expect a weekly briefing on the progress being made.

“Find attached, herewith, my directive suspending the Governor of the CBN from office with effect from June 2023.”

Last week, Governor Godwin Emefiele of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who had been in the custody of the Department of State Service (DSS), was brought before the court and granted bail. However, the secret police has not released him as of now.