CBN debunks alleged foreign exchange manipulation

THE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Monday denied involvement in foreign exchange manipulation as alleged in one of the national dailies.

The bank’s Director, Corporate Communications of the CBN, Mr Issac Okorafor made the denial on its Website.

The regulator noted that the story by BusinessDay Newspaper titled, “Exposed The Sleazy Face of N306/$1, inside Nigeria’s racket where faceless agents pocket over N32bn annually” was unfounded and untrue.

It, therefore, challenged the BusinessDay Newspaper to provide the names of agents involved, and also verifiable evidence of collusion.

The CBN said: “The management of the CBN wishes to react to the report wherein BusinessDay Newspaper alleges that faceless agents in Nigeria are exploiting the country’s multiple exchange rates to devastating effects and allegedly with the backing of regulators.

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“The CBN wishes to state unequivocally that this report is unfounded and untrue and challenges BusinessDay to provide the names and also verifiable evidence of collusion between these faceless agents and officials of the CBN, who are working to perpetuate these so-called Forex (Fx) racket schemes.

“We would also urge the management of BusinessDay to contact the CBN prior to making such spurious allegations, as we were denied the benefit of responding to this article.

“The CBN wishes to remind BusinessDay, as most financial observers have noted, that the Fx rates across various markets governed and regulated by the CBN have been converging, leaving no room for arbitrage opportunities in Nigeria’s Fx market.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the CBN will continue to act in the best interest of Nigeria and shall ensure it remains focused on its core mandate of sustaining the stability in the Fx market.”