Nigeria has called upon Interpol for assistance in capturing three individuals suspected of orchestrating the theft of $6.2 million (£4.9 million) from the country’s central bank, reportedly through the fraudulent use of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature.
Authorities allege collusion between the suspects and Nigeria’s former central bank governor, Godwin Emefiele, who is currently facing trial on 20 counts, including the illicit acquisition of the aforementioned sum. Emefiele, who denies all charges, is presently out on bail.
This development marks one of the most prominent corruption cases involving a former official since President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration last May.
According to prosecutors, Emefiele illicitly authorized the release of the funds from the central bank’s vault. In a statement issued last December, Emefiele vehemently refuted the accusations as “blatant falsehoods concocted by the investigator to serve his malicious agenda,” advocating for a comprehensive and transparent inquiry.
Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Ocheme, a former central bank employee, are purported to be Emefiele’s alleged accomplices, as reported by the state-owned News Agency of Nigeria. The suspects are believed to have fled Nigeria, prompting authorities to seek Interpol’s aid in their arrest and extradition.
The accused individuals have yet to respond to the allegations against them.
The purported embezzlement occurred several months before Muhammadu Buhari’s presidency concluded. The government issued warrants for their arrest shortly after Boss Mustapha, a senior official from Buhari’s administration, testified in Emefiele’s trial, asserting that neither he nor Buhari had authorized the withdrawal of $6.2 million.
Mustapha informed the court in Abuja that the signature on the withdrawal document was a feeble attempt at replicating former President Buhari’s signature, as reported by the Nation newspaper. He further clarified that the document in question did not originate from the president’s office.
The funds were withdrawn in cash in January of the preceding year, a few months prior to the conclusion of Buhari’s tenure. Prosecutors allege that Emefiele falsified the document to request the central bank to dispense the funds for the purported purpose of remunerating foreign election observers on behalf of Buhari.
Emefiele was initially appointed as central bank governor in 2014 by then-President Goodluck Jonathan and was subsequently reappointed by Buhari in 2019. He held the position until Tinubu assumed office.
