A special investigative committee appointed by President Bola Tinubu has initiated a comprehensive inquiry into past activities involving former CBN Governor Emefiele and the central bank itself.
As part of their ongoing probe, the committee has summoned 20 individuals for questioning.
Among those called in for interrogation are four deputy governors of the central bank, several directors, and a number of drivers who were previously associated with the former CBN governor. The drivers were included in the inquiry due to their role in transporting high-ranking officials.
Sources close to the investigation have revealed that a significant portion of those questioned held directorial positions, particularly those directly subordinate to the deputy governors. Additionally, officials from the Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC) and those overseeing various intervention programs have also been brought in for questioning.
The committee has extended its inquiry to include personnel from financial institutions such as NIRSAL Microfinance Bank (NMFB) and Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), who have been summoned to provide insight into their involvement with the central bank.
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During the course of their investigations on Friday, the special investigators conducted a discreet visit to the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc). No arrests were made during this visit.
In a noteworthy development, Shuaib Ahmed, the Executive Secretary of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC), and his deputy, Iheanyi Anyahara, have been invited to testify before the committee regarding the preparation of CBN audited financial statements spanning from 2016 to 2022.
Sources have revealed that individuals summoned for questioning may be detained overnight if their interrogations extend beyond expectations or if they are required to retrieve documents from their offices. This measure is implemented to ensure that crucial information is secured promptly.
Furthermore, if an individual under interrogation is linked to another party, they are detained until the other person is summoned for separate questioning, allowing investigators to thoroughly explore connections and associations.
While an exact count of those summoned remains uncertain, it is estimated that close to 20 individuals have already been invited to participate in the ongoing inquiry. Speculation is rife that the committee may extend its reach to include retired directors of the central bank in the near future.