Former Nigerian President Buhari's Signature Forged to Withdraw $6.2 Million
Nigeria has reached out to Interpol for assistance in capturing three individuals accused of stealing $6.2 million (£4.9 million) from the central bank by forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The suspects are believed to have colluded with Nigeria's former central bank chief, Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing trial on 20 charges related to the illicit receipt of the stolen funds.
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Emefiele, who denies all allegations and is out on bail, is the most prominent former official to be implicated in corruption since President Bola Tinubu assumed office last year. Prosecutors assert that Emefiele illicitly authorized the release of the money from the central bank vault, a claim he vehemently refutes as "barefaced lies" aimed at fulfilling a sinister agenda.
The alleged accomplices of Emefiele, identified as Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Ocheme, a former central bank employee, are reported to have fled Nigeria, prompting authorities to seek Interpol's aid in their arrest and extradition. Despite the government's order for their apprehension, none of the suspects have responded to the accusations against them.
The move to pursue the suspects internationally came after Boss Mustapha, a senior official in former President Buhari's administration, testified in Emefiele's trial, asserting that neither he nor Buhari had authorized the withdrawal of the $6.2 million. Mustapha highlighted discrepancies in the signature used on the withdrawal document, indicating it was a counterfeit attempt at replicating President Buhari's signature.
Emefiele, who denies all allegations and is out on bail, is the most prominent former official to be implicated in corruption since President Bola Tinubu assumed office last year. Prosecutors assert that Emefiele illicitly authorized the release of the money from the central bank vault, a claim he vehemently refutes as "barefaced lies" aimed at fulfilling a sinister agenda.
The alleged accomplices of Emefiele, identified as Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Ocheme, a former central bank employee, are reported to have fled Nigeria, prompting authorities to seek Interpol's aid in their arrest and extradition. Despite the government's order for their apprehension, none of the suspects have responded to the accusations against them.
The move to pursue the suspects internationally came after Boss Mustapha, a senior official in former President Buhari's administration, testified in Emefiele's trial, asserting that neither he nor Buhari had authorized the withdrawal of the $6.2 million. Mustapha highlighted discrepancies in the signature used on the withdrawal document, indicating it was a counterfeit attempt at replicating President Buhari's signature.
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The funds were allegedly withdrawn in cash just before the conclusion of Buhari's term, purportedly under the guise of being used to pay foreign election observers. Emefiele, initially appointed as central bank governor in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan and subsequently reappointed by Buhari in 2019, held the position until Tinubu assumed office.
The funds were allegedly withdrawn in cash just before the conclusion of Buhari's term, purportedly under the guise of being used to pay foreign election observers. Emefiele, initially appointed as central bank governor in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan and subsequently reappointed by Buhari in 2019, held the position until Tinubu assumed office.
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