President Bola Tinubu has assigned Jim Osayande Obazee, a man previously dismissed by his predecessor due to numerous allegations of corruption, abuse of office, federal racketeering, and conviction for sexual harassment, to lead an investigation of the Central Bank of Nigeria and other federal agencies.

In a letter dated July 28, the president instructed Mr. Obazee, as a special investigator, to uncover extensive corruption within the nation’s main banker and other institutions suspected of promoting a culture of public graft.

The president said Mr Obazee, who was controversially removed from office in 2017 by President Muhammadu Buhari following multiple charges that included fraud and sexual assault of a federal official, should “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).”

He would operate with “a suitably experienced, competent and capable team and work with relevant security and anti-corruption agencies to deliver on this assignment,” Mr Tinubu added in the letter, noting that he would anticipate updates from Mr Obazee’s team on a weekly basis.

This is coming approximately seven weeks after President Bola Tinubu dismissed Godwin Emefiele as the head of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and detained him.

Despite court orders, he appointed Jim Osayande Obazee to lead an essential anti-corruption investigation

It seems that President Tinubu may not have thoroughly considered Mr. Obazee’s controversial background before assigning him to this crucial portfolio.

In 2013, Mr. Obazee, who was then the executive secretary of the Financial Reporting Council, faced accusations of sexually abusing a federal official named Abimbola Patricia Yakubu and subsequently retaliated against her by terminating her employment with the federal agency.

Ms. Abimbola Patricia Yakubu took swift action and filed a lawsuit against the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) for wrongful termination and allegations of covering up sexual assault by its leadership.

The case was heard in the Kano Division of the National Industrial Court, where Justice Oyebiola Oyewunmi presided over a lengthy trial.

In the ruling on November 24, 2016, Justice Oyewunmi found in favor of Ms. Yakubu and ordered Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee to pay her N5 million in damages.

Additionally, the judge ordered the immediate reinstatement of Ms. Yakubu to her former position with full payment of her salaries, including the period she was away from work due to the illegal termination.

The court found that Ms Yakubu “suffered unquantifiable mental and psychological trauma, low self-worth and dignity,” from Mr Obazee’s treatment.

“I award the sum of N5,000,000.00 against the 2nd defendant for sexually harassing the claimant, discrimination against her, inhuman and executive recklessness of the 2nd defendant, thereby creating a hostile working environment for the claimant and for the violation of her human dignity and self-worth-respect,” the judge ruled.

Despite the judgment against him, Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee maintained his innocence regarding all charges.

However, it remains unclear whether he pursued an appeal. The special investigator did not respond to a request from Peoples Gazette seeking comments on his background.

In addition to the previous sexual assault case, in 2016, Mr. Obazee faced accusations of embezzling public funds from the agency. There were also allegations that he accepted bribes to advocate for a federal takeover of certain banks and the removal of Lamido Sanusi, who was then the CBN governor.

In January 2017, Mr. Jim Osayande Obazee was dismissed from his position as the head of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The decision to remove him came after significant controversy surrounding his move to impose strict regulations on churches, mosques, and other faith-based entities across Nigeria.

This move was particularly linked to the decision of Enoch Adeboye to step down as the head of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. However, the church denied any involvement in Mr. Obazee’s removal.

There was no response from a spokesman for the president regarding how Mr. Obazee was vetted for the position when sought for comments.

Mr. Tinubu has faced persistent allegations of corruption and drug dealing throughout his decades-long political career, and he has maintained close relationships with individuals of questionable character.

For instance, his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, was accused of accepting bribes to pass a law in 2021 and had previously faced punishment for misappropriating funds from clients during his legal practice in the United States.

Additionally, Abdullahi Ganduje, a key political ally of the president, was caught on video accepting bribes from a public works contractor.

While Mr. Tinubu continues to deny corruption allegations, he did acknowledge forfeiting drug money to the U.S. authorities in the 1990s.

In a letter to Mr. Obazee, he stated that the decision to appoint a special investigator aligns with his administration’s commitment to eradicating corruption in public service.