In a startling revelation, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, disclosed at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, that the signature of former president Muhammadu Buhari was forged to steal over $6 million from the central bank’s vault.
Former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Godwin Emefiele was accused of conspiracy and forging of signatures and documents in the name of former President Muhammadu Buhari to steal $6.23m from the central bank.
Mustapha, who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, adamantly asserted that neither he nor the ex-president authorized such payments. He vehemently denied any involvement in the controversial disbursement of $6,230,000 to international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
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The prosecution’s witness, Onyeka Ogbu, revealed during the trial of Emefiele, that the former apex bank head had approved the substantial sum of $6.2 million for international election observers. Emefiele is currently facing a litany of charges, including corrupt advantages, conspiracy, and obtaining by false pretenses, a sum amounting to $6,230,000.
Michael, a former branch controller of the CBN, corroborated Ogbu’s testimony, confirming that he processed the documents for the disbursement of the aforementioned funds at the behest of Emefiele. The approval for this substantial payment, made in cash, came directly from the office of the former CBN boss.
However, Boss Mustapha’s appearance as Prosecution Witness 2 threw a wrench into the proceedings. He adamantly denied any knowledge or approval of the transaction, asserting that the documents did not originate from the office of the President. Mustapha cast doubt on the authenticity of Buhari’s purported signature on the documents, alleging forgery. Furthermore, he expressed bewilderment at the notion of the Nigerian government funding foreign election observers.
Meanwhile, given the unfolding drama, a Special Investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe instances of fraud within the CBN has escalated the matter. The investigator has written to the International Police, National Central Bureau, urging them to issue a red notice for three individuals allegedly involved in the embezzlement scheme. Among them is Odoh Ocheme, a CBN staff member, along with Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar.
The letter detailed the accusations against the trio, highlighting their purported conspiracy and forgery of documents in the name of the former President, resulting in the misappropriation of $6.23 million from the CBN’s coffers.
A letter made available to the media on Tuesday named Odoh Ocheme, a staff member of the apex bank, Adamu Abubakar, and Imam Abubakar on the list directed to Interpol.
The letter with reference number CR:3000/TSI/ABJ/VOL.1/85 and dated February 12, 2024, was addressed to the IGP and signed by the Head of Operations, Office of the Special Investigator, DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo.
It reads in part, “The Special Investigator appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to investigate the Central Bank of Nigeria, Related Entities, and other Key Government Business Entities kindly requests you to place the above-named individuals on INTERPOL RED NOTICE.
“In the course of the Special Investigator’s assignment, Mr Odoh Eric Ocheme, (staff of the CBN) now at large and the other two accomplices, also now at large, were discovered to have conspired and forged documents in the name of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria with which they stole about US$6,230,000 in cash from the coffers of the CBN.”
Additionally, the Federal High Court in Abuja has slapped Abubakar, Ocheme, and Abubakar with six counts of charges, including false pretense, conspiracy, and forgery of documents.
“Consequent upon the above, a charge was filed and warrants of arrest have been issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division presided over by Hon. Justice ILE. Ekwo in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/19/2024 B/w: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Adamu Abubakar & 2 Ors for the arrest and production of the Defendants named above for their arraignment,” the letter added.
The implications of these revelations go beyond Nigeria’s economic shores. The alleged misappropriation of such a significant sum of money raises concerns about the transparency and integrity of financial institutions, particularly the CBN, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s monetary policy and safeguarding its financial stability. The scandal threatens to undermine investor confidence, potentially deterring foreign investment and exacerbating economic challenges already facing the nation.
Furthermore, the involvement of high-ranking officials and the alleged forgery of presidential signatures tarnish the credibility of Nigeria’s governance structures. Such misconduct erodes public trust in government institutions and underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to combat corruption and ensure accountability.