Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied a report by SaharaReporters which purportedly listed him among alleged financiers of terrorism in Nigeria, describing the claim as “reckless, false, and malicious.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said his attention was drawn to what he called a “deliberately fabricated” story intended to tarnish his reputation and mislead Nigerians.
“I state categorically and unequivocally that this claim is entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors,” he said.
He condemned the report, stressing that issues as serious as terrorism should not be handled with irresponsibility by any media organisation.
“The fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialised by irresponsible reporting, and Nigerians deserve better than such reckless misinformation,” he stated.
Emefiele insisted that he has never, at any time in his public or private life, been involved in any activity linked to terrorism or its financing. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated by any security agency over such allegations.
“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,” he said. “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.”
Describing the report as the work of “misguided elements,” the former CBN governor said it contained “no scintilla of truth” and urged Nigerians to dismiss it completely.
“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 added.
Emefiele called on the media to exercise diligence, verify facts, and refrain from amplifying sensational claims without evidence.
“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,” he said.
