In a bid to apprehend the culprits responsible for the theft of $6.2 million from Nigeria’s central bank, the Nigerian government has sought the help of Interpol.
The three suspects allegedly used a forged signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari to carry out the audacious heist. Authorities suspect that former central bank chief, Godwin Emefiele, conspired with the suspects, and he is already on trial facing multiple charges, including receiving the stolen funds. Emefiele, who denies all allegations, is currently out on bail.
Emefiele’s trial marks a significant case of corruption as President Bola Tinubu assumed office last year. Prosecutors accuse Emefiele of authorizing the release of the funds from the central bank vault unlawfully. The theft occurred months before Buhari finished his presidency. In December, Buhari vehemently rejected the allegations, referring to them as “barefaced lies” motivated by malicious intent. He called for a thorough and transparent investigation.
The individuals suspected of assisting Emefiele in the theft have been identified as Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Ocheme, a former employee of the central bank. According to the state-owned News Agency of Nigeria, these suspects have reportedly fled the country, necessitating Nigeria’s request for Interpol’s assistance in their arrest and extradition.
As the trial against Emefiele continued, a key witness, Boss Mustapha, who held a senior position in Buhari’s administration, testified in court. Mustapha revealed that neither he nor Buhari had authorized the withdrawal of the $6.2 million, pointing out that the signature on the document in question was a poor attempt at forging Buhari’s signature. Thus, Mustapha dismissed the legitimacy of the document used to withdraw the funds.
The funds were withdrawn in cash in January of the previous year, just a few months before the end of Buhari’s term. Prosecutors maintain that Emefiele falsified the document, which purportedly sought the central bank’s assistance to provide funds for paying foreign election observers employed by Buhari.
Emefiele assumed the role of central bank governor in 2014 under the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, and he was reappointed by Buhari in 2019. His tenure lasted until the new officeholder, Tinubu, took over.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana
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