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Tinubu’s special investigator, Jim Obazee requests over N2bn from CBN governor as apex bank officials raise
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A letter addressed to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, by the Chairman of the Special Investigative Committee, Jim Obazee, requesting N2 billion for various assignments has been exclusively obtained by SaharaReporters.
In the letter dated December 22, 2023, Obazee requested funds for surveillance, vetting, security, addressing black spots, monitoring hotels, and acquiring vehicles.
President Bola Tinubu appointed Obazee, a former chief executive officer of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, in July 2023 as the special investigator to investigate the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and related entities.
Obazee, who was fired by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2017, investigated the CBN under the tenure of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
His investigation uncovered massive corruption in Nigeria’s apex bank and his recommendation led to former President Goodluck Jonathan’s suspension of Sanusi in February 2014.
Obazee reports directly to the President.
In his appointment letter dated July 28, 2023, President Tinubu said Obazee would also work on a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments.
Part of his job schedule is to strengthen key Government Business Entities (GBEs), block leakages in CBN and related GBEs and provide a comprehensive report on public wealth currently in the hands of corrupt individuals and establishments.
Meanwhile, Obazee’s letter to the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, reads in part: ”Please refer to our meeting with Mr President (with the Attorney General of the Federation and Honourable Minister of Justice in attendance) on 20th December 2023 wherein Mr President directed that I forward my invoice, so far, to you on the ongoing investigation that I am leading.”
Obazee asked for N750,000,000 for ”information sourcing, facts finding, synthesis and vetting.”
The Special Investigator asked for N800,000,000 for ”surveillance, black sites, private security and prying eyes.”
For ”logistics, outstation and team funding,” Obazee demanded N550,000,000.
He also demanded N35,000,000 for ”consumables, etc”. The total amount of money requested by the Special Investigator was N2,135,000,000, which was to be paid into a Premium Trust account number – 0010080287.
Concerned CBN officials shared a copy of the letter with SaharaReporters and questioned the rationale behind the request when the apex bank had already provided for such activities.
One official said, ”The duplication of efforts raises concerns about potential redundancy and misallocation of resources.”
He added, ”Moreover, there is uncertainty regarding Jim Obazee’s authority to conduct surveillance and investigations, particularly if he needs the credentials of a spy or professional investigator.
”The lack of clarity on the approval process for these tasks and fund allocation is already causing confusion, raising questions about who authorized these activities and why.
”Transparency is urgently needed regarding the transactions being vetted and the beneficiaries being monitored.
”Without clear explanations, suspicions will arise about the potential misuse of information and the possibility of the Obazee-led committee employing blackmail tactics.”
Another official accused the Obazee-led committee of being indicted for tapping the telephone conversations of highly placed Nigerians. Hence, the source noted that the apex bank is careful in dealing with the panel.
”The unauthorized tapping of telephone conversations of high-ranking officials, including the Attorney General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police is known to us, and it raises serious legal and ethical questions about privacy rights and abuse of power.
”We are also aware that some CBN staff members are providing information to Obazee on every transaction of current governments and governors that he is using as a blackmailing tool.
”We want the committee to explain the rationale behind the request and clarify the processes involved in approving such allocations.
”Additionally, the CBN is keen to ensure that any fund disbursements are under presidential orders and have received proper board approval.
”It is also essential to ensure that the allocated amount is within the approved budget and that funds are used appropriately and accountably.”
SaharaReporters further gathered that there are concerns about the storage of investigation documents in Obazee’s Lagos home.
A member of the panel said, ”As I speak to you, there is vital national information and top secrets in Obazee’s home.
”This could trigger potential breaches of national security and confidentiality.”
Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico, Reno Omokri, has dismissed claims that the Mexican government rejected his diplomatic appointment, attributing his delayed resumption instead to the ongoing FIFA World Cup being co-hosted by Mexico and the United States.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today last Monday, the former presidential aide said the delay was due to logistical and diplomatic considerations linked to the global football tournament, stressing that he was not the only Nigerian envoy yet to assume duty. Omokri said reports suggesting that Mexico had declined to accept him as Nigeria’s ambassador were false and were being promoted by political opponents.
“Mexico has not rejected me. Not at all,” he said.Politics He explained that the Mexican government is currently focused on hosting the World Cup alongside the United States, leaving little room to process the arrival of new diplomats. “You should understand that Mexico is right now hosting the World Cup, along with the United States of America, and all of their focus is on that,” Omokri stated.
According to him, several Nigerian ambassadors-designate are also yet to resume at their respective postings for similar reasons.Executive Branch “Most of us ambassadors have not resumed. So, I’m not the only one. A lot of my colleagues are in my situation, but it’s okay. These things happen,” he said. The ambassador-designate also accused members of the opposition of spreading misleading narratives about his appointment, insisting that such claims have no basis in reality. “The opposition will always say things like I have been rejected. We do not work on the basis of the opposition. We work on the basis of reality,” he said.
Omokri expressed confidence that Nigeria continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic relations with countries around the world and maintained that host nations would receive Nigerian envoys in due course. “The reality of it is that we have countries in the world that respect Nigeria, and they’re going to be taking Nigeria’s envoys,” he added.
A young Nigerian girl who was trafficked to Cotonou, Benin Republice for prostitution has d!ed.
Sewuese passed away on Friday, July 24, 2026 in Benue State after she was brought home.
Activist, Zege Orkwande, who has been facilitating the rescue of trafficked Benue girls said investigation is ongoing and those who trafficked her will face the full wrath of law.
“People are asking “who took Sewuese to Cotonou”. Trust my process,” he wrote.
“The people that trafficked/smuggled her to Cotonou for prostitution will sure face the law and serve in prison uniform.
“All information gathered. I’m waiting for her to be buried first. REST WELL.”
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has launched a probe into the alleged withholding of operational funds approved by President Bola Tinubu for six federal information agencies by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The investigation follows reports by Premium Times alleging that the Permanent Secretary failed to process payment files for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Orientation Agency (NOA), and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), despite presidential approval. The delay reportedly affected the operations of the agencies, with sources alleging that Mrs. Ukaire insisted that agency heads make detailed presentations on their projects and financial utilisation before the payments could be processed.
Agency heads and civil service experts reportedly argued that the demand contravened established procedures.
They cited a circular from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which directs supervising ministries not to interfere in the financial administration of parastatals, noting that the agencies are accountable to their governing boards and supervising ministers rather than the Permanent Secretary for routine operational releases.
In response to the allegations, the ICPC invited Mrs. Ukaire and the heads of the affected agencies for questioning to determine the circumstances surrounding the delayed funds. Although those invited were questioned, no one was detained, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Following the report and the ICPC’s intervention, Mrs. Ukaire reportedly approved the payment files and forwarded them for disbursement. Heads of the affected agencies confirmed that the documents have now been transmitted and are awaiting final release into their respective accounts, bringing relief after months of uncertainty.
Source: Rewritten from a report by Premium Times without altering the original facts.
Ambassador Omokri Amid Rejection Rumours Says World Cup Cause of his delayed resumption
Sad: Young Nigerian reportedly trafficked for commercial s*x dies after rescue
ICPC investigates Permanent Secretary over delayed Tinubu’s approved agency funds
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