CBN SCAMMERS FRAUD: Governor suspends Deputy Gov, Others.
There are indications that Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has suspended Joseph Nnanna, deputy governor, Financial System Surveillance of the apex bank and four deputy directors for falling prey to scammers who defrauded the CBN.
It was gathered that the sum of $441,000 was initially lost to the scammers but $251,000 was however blocked and recovered, leaving a balance of $190,000, which had already been cashed by the fraudsters.
Nnanna, was alleged to have failed to follow financial regulations and due process as laid down by the bank , leading to the scamming of the bank by the fraudsters.
The suspended deputy governor, was said to have responded to some spam emails without first cross-checking the authenticity of the mails and following CBN stringent payment process, before authorising the release of funds when the governor and several senior officials of the bank were on a flight to China last month.
The affected deputy directors are said to include the deputy director in charge of payment, the deputy director trade and exchange department, and the deputy director in the office of the governor, who heeded Nnanna’s directive to pay when they themselves ought to know CBN’s due process of payment.
Two of the scammers have however been caught in Dubai, United Arab Emirate and are currently being questioned by investigators.
It was observed from their modus operandi, that the scammers apparently timed the execution of the fraud to take place when the CBN governor and other deputy governors were out of the country.
Emefiele was said to have wielded the big stick by suspending the affected top officials because the CBN has laid-down procedures for the release of funds, none of which was followed in this particular case.
Sources within the bank said following the incident, the governor had warned that henceforth any such infraction would be summarily dealt with.
A statement posted on CBN website only stated that the bank had uncovered and aborted fraud without giving details.
The four-paragraph CBN statement signed by Isaac Okoroafor, acting director, Corporate Communications, and titled, ‘CBN Uncovers and Aborts Fraud,’ reads: “A highly sophisticated plot to defraud the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) by some criminal minded elements has been uncovered and aborted by the bank.
“Although preliminary investigations so far have not revealed any accomplices within the CBN, management has decided to place all key personnel involved in the transaction on suspension.
“This is to ensure a full and unfettered investigation.
“This incidence has been reported to relevant authorities. The CBN wishes to assure the general public that the security of the bank remains intact.”
END
