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The Central Bank of Nigeria has suspended a deputy governor and four other senior staff as part of an ongoing investigation into a fraudulent transaction initiated by email scammers.

In a statement released last week, the CBN announced that it uncovered and aborted a “highly sophisticated plot” to defraud the apex bank.

“Although preliminary investigations so far have not revealed any accomplices within the CBN, management has decided to place all key personnel on suspension. This is to ensure a full and unfettered investigation,” said the CBN statement, which was signed by Isaac Okoroafor, the Acting Director, Corporate Communications.

Although the names of the affected personnel were not published by the CBN, sources told Thisday that Godwin Emefiele, the CBN governor, suspended Joseph Nnanna, the Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Surveillance, and others for failing to follow due process to confirm the authenticity of spam emails before authorizing the release of funds.

Emefiele also reportedly suspended the deputy director in charge of payment, the deputy director in charge of trade and exchange department, and the deputy director in the office of the governor, for affirming Nnanna’s directive without cross-checking with CBN’s due process.

The CBN reportedly paid $441,000 in the fraudulent transaction, but $251,000 was quickly blocked and recovered after the fraudsters cashed $190,000.

The transaction reportedly happened last month when Emefiele and other officials where on a trip to China. Two of the fraudsters have been arrested in Dubai and are being questioned by the police.

“This incident has been reported to relevant authorities. The CBN wishes to assure the general public that the security of the Bank remains intact,” the statement said.