NEWS
Tinubu Appoints Convicted Ex-FRC Secretary To Probe CBN, Others
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.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has said Nigerians still deserve answers six years after the October 20, 2020, EndSARS shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
Atiku made this known in a statement on Tuesday marking the sixth anniversary of the incident, in which he called for accountability over the shooting and criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the unresolved questions surrounding the tragedy.
He questioned who gave the order for the operation against protesters, insisting that the country could not continue to commemorate the victims without addressing the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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Atiku also recalled President Bola Tinubu’s remarks in October 2020, when he questioned the circumstances surrounding the casualties recorded during the shooting.
Tinubu had asked: “How were they there? How long were they there? What kind of characters are they?”
According to Atiku, the remarks appeared to focus on questioning the victims rather than demanding answers from those responsible for the violence against peaceful protesters.
He said the anger surrounding the anniversary reflected the unresolved grief of affected families and the distrust of young Nigerians who had demanded accountability and a better future.
“The APC has governed Nigeria through these six years. It cannot keep asking Nigerians to remember the dead while refusing to confront the unanswered questions,” Atiku said.
The ADC presidential candidate also linked the unresolved questions surrounding the Lekki shooting to the economic hardship confronting Nigerians, particularly young people struggling with rising living costs.
Citing petrol prices of ₦1,405 per litre, Atiku said transportation costs were making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to afford basic necessities, including food, rent, education and commuting to work.
He illustrated the situation with the account of a young woman who reportedly resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover her transportation expenses.
According to Atiku, one of his aides shared the woman’s experience earlier on Tuesday.
The woman reportedly said: “The pay no longer covers transport. Everything in Nigeria just dey increase in price. Feels like I’m working for Bolt guys.”
Atiku described the experience as an example of the difficulties faced by employed Nigerians whose earnings could no longer adequately cover the cost of getting to work.
He argued that the economic situation was affecting not only unemployed Nigerians but also workers struggling to survive on salaries weakened by rising costs.
The former vice president also highlighted his Economic Recovery Plan, which he said was designed to make Nigeria more affordable.
The proposed measures include providing support tied to fuel refined in Nigeria, passing savings on to consumers, increasing local production to create jobs, protecting minimum-wage earners, supporting students and cutting government waste rather than imposing additional taxes.
Atiku maintained that young Nigerians deserved answers about the Lekki shooting, a government that protects human life and an economy in which employment could provide a path to a better standard of living.
He added that Nigerians were entitled to question the APC’s record on accountability and economic opportunities six years after the incident.
The EndSARS protests began in October 2020, with young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality and reforms to policing in the country. The shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20 became one of the most prominent events associated with the protests.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians never to normalise injustice as the country marks the sixth anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate shootings during the #EndSARS protests.
Obi made the call in a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, in which he reflected on the events of October 20, 2020, and renewed his call for a Nigeria where citizens’ rights are protected.
He expressed appreciation for Nigerian youths who participated in the protests, describing the anniversary as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made in the demand for a better country.
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According to him, peaceful #EndSARS protesters were met with gunfire at the Lekki Toll Gate on that fateful night, leaving people dead and others injured.
He noted that the incident raised questions about justice, accountability and respect for human life.
“We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice,” Obi said.
He also reaffirmed his belief that a New Nigeria is possible, describing it as a country where citizens are protected rather than brutalised, young people are heard rather than silenced, and government power is exercised responsibly and with respect for human rights.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that Nigeria must become a nation where no citizen is punished for demanding good governance and a better future.
As the country marks six years since the incident, Obi prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and called for their sacrifices to strengthen efforts towards building a better nation.
“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace. May their sacrifice strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria where this tragedy will never be repeated,” he stated.
He concluded by reiterating his belief in the possibility of a New Nigeria, insisting that the country must become one where every life matters.
Former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has reportedly died, according to sources said to be close to his family.
The sources confirmed the development on Monday, October 19, 2026, although details surrounding the circumstances of his death remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
“Uduaghan is no more; he is dead,” one of the sources reportedly said.
SEE ALSO: Document reveals Akpoti-Uduaghan demanded N10b damages from husband before marriage, firm reacts
The reported death comes months after claims that the former governor had died circulated on social media before being dismissed by his media aide, Henry Unini.
In June, reports of Uduaghan’s alleged death spread across Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting Unini to publicly debunk the claims and assure the public that the former governor was alive.
“I can tell you for a fact that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan is alive,” Unini said at the time.
“Frankly, I don’t know where the writer got his information from. The death of someone is not something you take and write about casually,” he added.
Unini acknowledged at the time that Uduaghan had been experiencing health challenges but maintained that he was receiving medical attention.
“It is now common knowledge that Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has been sick, but he is receiving proper medical care,” the media aide said.
He also stated that the former governor was recuperating, assuring the public that there was no immediate cause for concern.
“There is no cause for alarm whatsoever,” Unini said.
The media aide thanked friends, well-wishers and residents of Delta State who contacted the family to verify the former governor’s condition. He also urged the public to avoid spreading unverified information.
“The rumour was uncalled for,” he said while addressing the earlier reports.
As of the time of filing this report, further details about the circumstances surrounding Uduaghan’s reported death had yet to emerge.
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