In response to a report by Private Investigator Jim Obazee on the affairs of the CBN, Emefiele released a statement titled “Re; Emefiele, others stole billions, illegally kept Nigeria’s funds in foreign banks” on Sunday.

Contrary to Obazee’s leaked report claiming Emefiele opened numerous accounts globally and acquired three commercial banks in Nigeria, the former CBN Governor disavows involvement in the foreign accounts’ opening.

Emefiele asserts he lacks knowledge about these accounts and firmly denies any connection to their establishment.

Emefiele clarifies that fixed deposits within these foreign accounts are beyond his awareness, emphasizing that the relevant CBN departments possess the authority to conduct such activities within the legal framework of the apex bank’s mandate.

In light of the allegations, Emefiele calls for a comprehensive and transparent investigation into the purported fraud. He has instructed his legal team to initiate immediate legal proceedings to vindicate his name from the defamatory statements outlined in the report.

He said: “The final issue that I will like to respond to is the issue of the 593 accounts which were purportedly opened in different parts of the world. I state categorically that I am not involved in the opening of these accounts and I do not have knowledge of their openings. The fixed deposits in those foreign accounts are definitely outside my knowledge.

“However, let me state clearly, that the relevant departments of the CBN have the authority to carry out such activities in line with their lawful mandate within the CBN.

“I therefore join well-meaning Nigerians who have spoken on this matter and have demanded a thorough and transparent investigation of all these alleged frauds.

“Meanwhile, I have instructed my lawyers to immediately commence the legal process to clear my name from the defamatory statements contained in the report and by extension the publications.”