Nigerian authorities have turned to Interpol for assistance in apprehending three individuals suspected of stealing a staggering $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The brazen heist, allegedly involving forged signatures and potential high-level collaboration, has sent shockwaves through the nation.
According to reports, the suspects allegedly conspired with former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele to orchestrate the theft. While Emefiele himself has not been formally accused, authorities believe he played a role in the scheme. The alleged accomplices include Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Ocheme, a former employee of the CBN.
The government ordered their arrest late on Tuesday, hours after Boss Mustapha, a senior official in ex-President Buhari’s administration, testified in Mr Emefiele’s trial.
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Mr Mustapha told the court in the capital, Abuja, that neither he nor Mr Buhari had given their signatures to approve the withdrawal of the $6.2m.
“Looking at the signature, it is a faint attempt at reproducing [former] President Buhari’s signature,” Mr Mustapha said.
When shown the document used to withdraw the funds, Mr Mustapha said it “did not emanate from the office of the president”, he added.
The funds were withdrawn in cash in January last year, a few months before Mr Buhari’s term ended.
The scheme reportedly involved forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari, highlighting the audacity and potential reach of the perpetrators. The exact methods employed remain under investigation, but the involvement of forged presidential signatures raises serious concerns about security protocols and potential internal vulnerabilities within the CBN.
The Nigerian government has reportedly requested Interpol’s assistance in issuing “red notices” for the suspects, facilitating their arrest and extradition from any country where they may be hiding. This move signifies the seriousness with which Nigerian authorities are treating the case and their determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The alleged involvement of a former CBN governor and the use of forged presidential signatures add a layer of complexity and intrigue to this already alarming case. The public awaits further developments in the investigation, hoping for a swift resolution and a clear understanding of how such a significant theft could have occurred within the nation’s central bank.
