E-Financial
CBN’s Special Investigator, Jim Obazee Accuses Emefiele of Using Proxies to Buy Banks
Jim Obazee, the special investigator appointed by President Bola to investigate the activities of former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has revealed in his report that the former apex bank chief used proxies to acquire some banks in the country.
Late Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua, an ally of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was also fingered alongside Emefiele in the acquisition of Keystone Bank and Polaris Bank.
According to Punch, this is coming on the heels of findings by the investigator that Emefiele illegally lodged billions of naira in foreign currencies in no fewer than 593 bank accounts in the United States, United Kingdom, and China without the approval of the apex bank’s board of directors and the CBN Investment Committee.
Obazee found out that the ex-CBN governor lodged £543,482,213 in fixed deposits in UK banks alone without authorisation. Emefiele, who is currently in the Kuje Custodial Centre, is being prosecuted for N1.2bn procurement fraud.
Obazee, who was appointed special investigator in July, submitted his final report tagged, ‘Report of the Special Investigation on CBN and Related Entities (Chargeable offences)’ to the President on Wednesday. He had earlier submitted an interim report on the probe of the CBN and related entities on December 9.
In his letters to the President, Obazee said he had completed his investigation into the illegal acquisition of Union Bank by Titan Banka nd was on the verge of recovering the two banks for the Federal Government.
He stated in his letter to the President, “When we carried out the investigation, we discovered that some persons were used as proxies by Mr Godwin Emefiele to set up Titan Trust Bank and acquire Union Bank therefrom, all from ill-gotten wealth.
“We were able to secure some documents and investigation reports will lead to the forfeiture of the two banks to the Federal Government. We have completed our investigation on this acquisition and have also held meetings with the relevant parties except for Mr Cornelis Vink, who is currently hospitalised in Switzerland.
“Otherwise, we are on the verge of recovering these two banks for the Federal Government.”
During the probe into the UBN acquisition supervised by the Emefiele-led CBN, Obazee explained that he requested the apex bank to furnish him with the details of the deal.
Findings indicate Titan Trust Bank sought the CBN’s no-objection to its proposed consolidation with UBN, excluding its United Kingdom operations via a letter dated October 25, 2021.
In the letter, TTB stated that the consolidation was being contemplated in four phases via acquisition of 91.5 per cent of the issued shares of UBN; mandatory tender offer for the remaining UBN shares; buyout of any share that were not voluntarily sold to TTB on the MTO; and merger of TTB and UBN with UBN as the surviving entity.
The TTB letter also stated that the consolidation was to be funded via a combination of debt and equity. The CBN in a letter dated March 9, 2022 granted no-objection to TTB’s requests to obtain a $300m facility from Afrexim Bank as well as capital injection of $175m from two existing shareholders of TTB, Luxis International DMCC and Magna International DMCC.
The TTB, via a letter dated June 3, 2022, informed the CBN that it made the payment of the purchase consideration to the selling shareholders on June 1, 2022, and thus completed the acquisition of 93.41 per cent of the issued shares of UBN.
According to the investigator, the TTB sought approval for the mandatory takeover of the remaining 6.59 per cent of UBN shares vide a letter dated October 14, 2022.
The MTO was reportedly triggered by the successful acquisition of 93.41 per cent of the UBN shares and TTB was granted a no-objection to acquire the remaining 6.59 per cent shares through a letter dated October 24, 2022.
On November 2, 2022, the TTB officially launched the MTO, offering to acquire the remaining shares and the MTO concluded with the TTB purchasing an additional 0.64 per cent of the issued shares of UBN, thus bringing its total shareholding to 94.05 per cent.
To approve a scheme arrangement between itself and the holders of the balance of 5.95 per cent shares not yet bought by the TTB following an order of the Federal High Court, the UBN convened a meeting on June 13, 2023. This was expected to result in the transfer of the outstanding UBN shares to TTB.
The investigation report noted, “The process to acquire the remainder of 5.95 per cent of the issued share capital of UBN by TTB is ongoing through a court-ordered scheme of arrangement between itself and the holders of the balance of 5.95 per cent.
“TTB stated that its ultimate objective is to acquire 100 per cent of the total outstanding shares of UBN.” Further investigation showed that TTB is owned by Luxis International DMCC and Magna International DMCC, said to be based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The two firms were said to be owned by Vink Corporation Middle East FZC, which is controlled by Cornelis Vink. However, efforts to verify the corporate status of Luxis and Magna in Dubai failed as they did not have a physical presence in the Arab country as claimed.
“This contravenes Section 3(5) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act, 2020. Accordingly, they are not supposed to be allowed to operate or acquire a bank in Nigeria,” the report declared.
It stated, “The special investigator probed the activities of the TTB and discovered that there is a mysterious shareholder who has given interest-free long-term loan to (with no fixed repayment schedule) to the entities mentioned above (Luxis International DMCC and Magna International DMCC). This mysterious shareholder is believed to be Mr Godwin Emefiele.
“The special investigator requested the supposed owner of TTB and ultimate acquirer of Union Bank of Nigeria, Mr Cornelis Vink, to submit proof of funds, internationally verifiable bank statements (from incorporation of the entities to date), and the shareholder that gave interest-free loans to the two entities separately, names, nationality, source of fund, proof of fund, bank statements) as well as relationship of the entities with Mr Andrew Ojei, Jerome Shogbon, Rahul Savara, Winston Odeh, Adaeze Udensi, Ekene Louis, Godwin Emefiele, Macombe Omoile, Tunde Lemo, Mudassir Amry, Faruk Gumel, Oluremi Oni, and Vink Corporation Middle East FCZ together with the details of the shareholder that also gave Vink Corporation interest-free loan and your good self.
“A letter came from Union Bank of Nigeria claiming he is sick and can only come to meet with the special investigator or submit the documents requested when he gets well by the end of September 2023. As of today, December 20, 2023, we are yet to hear from him nor receive any of the requested documents.
“We are informed that they want to seek a political solution. The special investigator is of the view that the TTB and UBN be recovered by the Federal Government, strengthened and sold in the nearest future.
“A meeting was initially scheduled for December 5, 2023, with the Board of Directors of the two banks by the CBN Deputy Governor for Financial System Stability to close out discussions on this matter. The meeting has been postponed.”
On the alleged acquisition of Keystone by Emefiele through proxies, the investigator explained that sometime in 2017, the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria moved N20bn to Heritage Bank and on the back of that, the bank granted N25bn loan to the promoters of Isa Funtua/Emefiele Group’s acquisition vehicle to buy Keystone Bank and the loan was further backed by the shares of the bank.
Upon acquisition, Keystone reportedly returned the N20bn to Heritage Bank as placement and Heritage thereafter repaid AMCON from the cash flow so created.
The report read in part, “When the loan granted by Heritage Bank to Isa Funtua/Emefiele’s acquisition vehicles matured with outstanding balance, the MD of Heritage Bank, which was then in serious liquidity crisis, called for repayment. Unfortunately for the shareholders of the bank, the Funtua/Emefiele group could not repay.
“Consequently, the MD of Heritage Bank got his lawyers to write to the bank on two occasions threatening to take over Keystone Bank based on the shares they had pledged as security.
“After much pressure from him, Keystone Bank created internal loans of about N50bn between June and October 2019 and moved the proceeds to repay Heritage Bank on behalf of the shareholders.
“Before this, Godwin Emefiele as governor of the central bank had mounted pressure on the bank for these loans to be created within Keystone Bank on behalf of their group.
“However, the MD of the bank at that time resigned due to the consistent pressure from him and the shareholders to comply. The next in command, the deputy managing director, who subsequently became the acting MD, also resigned within three months for the same reason.
“Thereafter, an executive director, who then became the acting MD, took his vacation to avoid pressure for the approval of the loans. Unfortunately, the GM, Risk Management (Mr Tijjani Aliyu) and GM, Corporate Banking (Mr Niran Olayinka) approved the loans (about N50bn) while he was away and moved the proceeds to Heritage Bank for the repayment of the shareholders’ loans. The above loans, which are not being repaid currently, have total outstanding balance in excess of N64bn.”
The investigation also found that the credit approval memoranda were passed by the two GMs to the bank’s chairman, Alhaji Umaru Modibbo, who gave the final approval for disbursement, adding that the process bypassed the Management Credit Committee, Board Credit Committee and full board before disbursement.
“As a reward, the two GMs were immediately appointed executive directors, while one of them became the MD over the acting MD, who used to supervise him. The internal loans so created are not being serviced and have gone bad,” Obazee submitted.
The investigator informed the President that he had commenced the interrogation of the AMCON managing director on the acquisition of both Polaris and Keystone banks besides Arik Air, Aero Contractors and financial reporting by AMCON.
The AMCON MD was said to have told the investigator that “the N898bn liquidity support into Polaris Bank is not part of the SPA, which it should” and that “the N50bn paid for the transaction by the preferred bidder is not received by AMCON.”
Obazee said a preliminary review of the case showed that “Keystone was acquired for free as did Polaris Bank and the special investigator should liaise with the CBN to recover these two banks to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is outlining plans to process salaries, pensions, and social welfare benefits through the eNaira.
The proposal is outlined in the Nigeria Payments System Vision 2028 (PSV2028), a strategic roadmap aimed at transforming the eNaira from a pilot project into a core component of the country’s payment infrastructure.
Under the framework, the CBN plans to drive wider adoption by integrating the eNaira into government-to-person payments, payroll systems, offline transactions and financial services targeted at micro-enterprises.
Launched in October 2021 as Africa’s first Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), the eNaira was introduced to promote financial inclusion, reduce transaction costs, improve remittance flows and support Nigeria’s transition to a cashless economy. However, adoption has remained below expectations despite continued regulatory support.
According to the CBN, the digital currency framework will be reviewed and strengthened to better align with emerging market needs.
The roadmap identifies government disbursements as a key driver for increasing usage and integrating the eNaira into everyday transactions.
If implemented, public sector salaries, pension payments, conditional cash transfers and other welfare programmes could be distributed through the platform, potentially improving payment efficiency and expanding access to digital financial services.
The roadmap also highlights programmable-money capabilities that could set the eNaira apart from traditional payment systems. These features include time-restricted spending, purpose-specific payments, automated payment splitting and dedicated sub-wallets for different financial needs.
The CBN believes these functionalities could improve transparency, strengthen fund management and enhance the effectiveness of targeted government interventions.
Beyond consumer payments, the apex bank said the eNaira could support settlement systems, banking operations and tokenised financial assets such as bonds and securities, strengthening Nigeria’s broader financial market infrastructure.
Olayemi Cardoso, governor, CBN, said the Payments System Vision 2028 strategy is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s position as a leading digital payments market while improving efficiency, resilience and inclusiveness across the financial system.
Despite millions of eNaira wallets being created and transactions worth approximately N22 billion processed, the digital currency has yet to achieve widespread everyday use.
The CBN identified challenges including limited merchant acceptance, weak integration with banking and fintech applications, and the absence of cross-border CBDC payment corridors.
To address these issues, the bank plans to position the eNaira as a preferred platform for government payments, remittances and trade settlements while opening its APIs to fintech firms for broader integration and innovation.
The CBN also intends to explore bilateral CBDC corridor pilots with major trade and remittance partners to facilitate faster and more efficient cross-border transactions.
For MSMEs, wider eNaira adoption could reduce transaction costs, improve access to digital payments, streamline government support programmes and create new opportunities for participation in Nigeria’s growing digital economy.
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has proposed a sweeping overhaul of the regulatory framework for Financial Holding Companies (HoldCos), including measures to strengthen the operational independence of subsidiaries by prohibiting parent companies from participating in lending decisions and credit approval processes.
The move would also require the HoldCos to maintain a minimum 51 per cent ownership stake in their subsidiaries.
A bank holding company is a corporation that owns a controlling interest in one or more banks but does not itself offer banking services.
The proposed reforms, contained in the ‘Exposure Draft of the Revised Guidelines for Licencing and Regulation of Financial Holding Companies in Nigeria,’ posted on the apex bank’s website, were aimed at strengthening governance, enhancing accountability and ensuring clearer ownership structures within Nigeria’s increasingly diversified financial groups.
In prohibiting parent companies from participating in lending decisions, it stated that a HoldCo shall not: “Be involved in credit administration and approval processes of any of its subsidiaries.”
It added: “Loans by a banking subsidiary to its HoldCo would be regarded as a return of capital and deducted from the capital of the bank in computing the bank’s capital adequacy ratio.”
According to CBN, the review became necessary after years of implementing the existing framework introduced in 2014.
The draft signed by Dr. Rita Sike, director, Financial Policy and Regulation Department, stated: “Following several years of implementation, the CBN has identified areas within the extant Guidelines that require enhancement to strengthen the operational effectiveness and regulatory oversight of Financial Holding Companies.
“Accordingly, the Guidelines has been reviewed to address observed gaps and align with evolving regulatory and market developments.”
One of the most significant changes proposed by the regulator is the introduction of a mandatory majority ownership requirement for all subsidiaries under financial holding companies.
Highlighting the key amendments, the apex bank stated that the revised framework would introduce, “Ownership and Control Requirements: Requiring FHCs to hold a minimum of 51 per cent equity stake in each subsidiary and to be registered as a person with significant control by the appropriate corporate registration authority.”
The proposed requirement is expected to strengthen the ability of HoldCos to exercise effective oversight over subsidiaries while eliminating ambiguities around control and accountability within financial groups.
The CBN also moved to draw a clear line between the responsibilities of parent companies and those of subsidiaries by prohibiting HoldCos from interfering in operational and business decisions.
According to the draft guidelines, a HoldCo shall not “Arrogate to itself any of the powers or functions of the board or management of any of its subsidiaries or associates.”
The regulator further stated that: “Without prejudice to Section 18 of BOFIA 2020, the practice whereby members of the Board or Management of a subsidiary attend meetings of the Board of the HoldCo and vice versa is prohibited.”
In a particularly strong provision targeted at preserving the independence of subsidiary institutions, the apex bank stated that a HoldCo shall not: “Interfere in the day-to-day activities of the subsidiaries.”
The draft further provides that parent companies must not compel subsidiaries to take instructions from them in the conduct of business.
According to the CBN, a HoldCo shall not: “Require its subsidiaries (including any employee, staff, manager, officer or director thereof) to take directives or act on the instructions of the HoldCo in its decision-making process, or in relation to the conduct of its business in any way whatsoever.”
Beyond governance reforms, the proposed framework also introduces stricter capital requirements for financial holding companies.
The CBN stated: “A HoldCo shall have and maintain a minimum regulatory capital which shall exceed the sum of the minimum regulatory capital of its subsidiaries by at least 20 per cent.”
It added that only paid-in capital would be recognised when assessing compliance with the requirement.
The draft further clarified: “It is the capital of the HoldCo that is applied to the subsidiaries. Consequently, excess capital in one subsidiary shall not be used to make up a shortfall in another subsidiary.”
The revised framework equally tightens oversight of shared services arrangements among members of financial groups.
According to the apex bank, “The HoldCo shall not engage in any transaction or maintain any business relationship with any of its subsidiaries, except such transaction is conducted at arm’s length.”
The guidelines further state that: “Shared services shall be provided at arm’s length. Transactions in respect of such services shall require the consent of the boards of directors of the FHC and the relevant subsidiary.”
To ensure accountability, the CBN directed that: “A value for money audit in respect of shared services shall be conducted at least once every two years by an approved auditor and the report submitted to the Director, Banking Supervision Department, CBN not later than March 31 of the year following the year the audit relates.”
The regulator also tightened rules governing intra-group lending and insider-related transactions, declaring that: “There shall be no insider-related borrowings within a HoldCo.”
Access Holdings Plc has held its 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM), reaffirming its strategic transition towards long-term value creation, balance sheet resilience, and disciplined growth, even as it navigates a dynamic and evolving operating environment.
Speaking at the AGM, the Chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, CFR, emphasised that the defining test of a financial institution is not merely its capacity for growth, but its ability to grow profitably, sustainably, and with discipline over time.
He noted that Access Holdings’ performance in 2025 reflects a deliberate approach to strengthening the institution’s long-term fundamentals while maintaining strong financial performance.
The Group delivered Profit Before Tax of ₦1.007 trillion, underscoring the strength of its diversified platform and expanding earnings base across key markets. Total assets increased to ₦51.56 trillion, while customer deposits grew strongly, reflecting sustained franchise momentum and deepening customer trust.
The Chairman, however, stressed that these results must be viewed within the context of the Group’s prudent risk management actions during the year. Access Holdings accelerated provisions on legacy and regulatory forbearance credit exposures, resulting in elevated impairment charges.
He explained that the Group consciously prioritised balance sheet strength and long-term resilience over short-term earnings optimisation.
“Periods of economic uncertainty often reveal more about an institution than periods of uninterrupted growth. Our focus remains on building a business that is not only growing, but improving in the quality, resilience, and sustainability of its earnings,” he stated.
The AGM highlighted the Group’s continued evolution beyond traditional banking into a diversified financial services ecosystem, with growing contributions from investment management, insurance, pensions, consumer finance, and payments.
While banking remains the Group’s core earnings engine, emerging growth platforms, including Access ARM Pensions, Access Insurance Brokers, Oxygen X Finance, and Hydrogen Payments, are expanding its footprint across digital finance, consumer lending, retirement services, and payments, thereby strengthening the Group’s long-term earnings mix and scalability.
Looking ahead, the Chairman reiterated the strategic imperative underpinning the Group’s next phase of growth:
“Our strategy, From Scale to Value, reflects the natural evolution of our journey. Scale created opportunity; value creation is how we fully realise it.”
He noted that while the Group continues to generate strong returns, ensuring that earnings per share consistently exceed the cost of capital remains central to unlocking sustainable shareholder value. He also acknowledged the significant unrealised value embedded within the Group’s international subsidiaries and reiterated management’s focus on improving market recognition of that intrinsic value over time.
The Board also addressed shareholders’ concerns regarding dividend payments, clarifying that the temporary suspension of dividend distributions was a consequence of regulatory compliance requirements rather than any deterioration in the Group’s financial performance.
Aig-Imoukhuede reaffirmed that the Group’s earnings capacity remains strong and that the Board’s position reflects adherence to supervisory expectations and prudent capital management principles.
He assured shareholders of the Board’s commitment to resuming dividend payments as soon as the relevant regulatory conditions are satisfied.
“Our approach is clear: capital retained today must translate into greater value tomorrow and sustainable returns for our shareholders.”
Access Holdings further highlighted progress in strengthening governance and leadership continuity. During the year, Innocent C. Ike was appointed Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, while the Board was reinforced through the appointment of Ibironke Adeyemi as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
Shareholders also expressed appreciation for the outstanding contributions of Bolaji Agbede, Executive Director, Business Development, who successfully led the management team as Acting Group Chief Executive Officer prior to the appointment of Mr. Ike.
The Chairman noted that the leadership transition was executed seamlessly, ensuring continuity of strategy, operational stability, and stakeholder confidence.
Despite continuing macroeconomic uncertainties across its operating markets, Access Holdings expressed confidence in its strategic positioning, underpinned by disciplined execution, a diversified business model, a strengthened capital base, and a clear focus on sustainable value creation.
Concluding his remarks, Aig-Imoukhuede reaffirmed the Group’s long-term commitment to shareholders: “Our responsibility is to justify the confidence of our shareholders by building an institution that endures, one defined by clarity of purpose, discipline of execution, and sustainable value creation over time.”
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