Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, has emphatically rejected allegations linking him to terrorism financing, describing the claims as baseless and part of a deliberate campaign to damage his reputation.
In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele denounced reports connecting him to terrorist financing activities, characterizing the accusations as both “mischievous” and “malicious.”
The former CBN governor insisted that the allegations were fabricated and deliberately designed to mislead the public and tarnish his standing, though he did not specify the unclear motives behind such actions.
Emefiele expressed serious concern about what he described as a pattern of irresponsible journalism, particularly regarding matters as grave as terrorism financing, which he argued should not be treated lightly or used for sensationalism.
The statement emphasized that neither during his tenure as Central Bank Governor nor in his private life has Emefiele been involved in activities related to terrorism or terrorist financing.
“Throughout my service to the nation or even in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated.
The former central banker revealed that he has never been questioned, invited for interrogation, or investigated by any authority regarding terrorism financing allegations, further undermining the credibility of the claims.
“I have also Never been invited, questioned or investigated on any allegation of terrorism financing. I have also never met or had any interaction with the person who granted that interview,” he disclosed.
Emefiele categorically rejected the existence of any evidence supporting the allegations, dismissing them as entirely without merit.
“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation, and I insist that the allegation is the product of pure mischief crafted by misguided elements for their despicable motives,” he declared.
The former CBN chief called on Nigerians to disregard the publication entirely, while also urging media organizations to exercise greater responsibility in their reporting, particularly on sensitive national security matters.
“While I urge the public to disregard the publication in its entirety, I also urge the press to refrain from publishing falsehoods and sensational claims without evidence or due diligence and verification of facts,” Emefiele said.
The denial comes amid what appears to be a wave of terrorism financing allegations targeting prominent Nigerian figures, including former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Buratai, who also issued a similar denial on Saturday.
Emefiele served as CBN Governor from June 2014 until his suspension in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu. He was subsequently arrested by the Department of State Services and has faced various legal challenges, including charges related to procurement fraud and unauthorized possession of firearms, all of which he has denied.
The former central banker has maintained his innocence throughout multiple investigations and legal proceedings, insisting that the charges against him are politically motivated.
The controversy adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of Emefiele’s tenure at the Central Bank, which has been marked by both praise for certain monetary policies and criticism over controversial programs including the naira redesign policy that caused widespread hardship in early 2023.
Legal observers note that if Emefiele believes the allegations constitute defamation, he has the option to pursue legal remedies against the publishers and sources of the claims.
