A Nigerian court has heard that the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari was allegedly forged to withdraw $6.2 million from the central bank.
According to court proceedings, Nigeria is seeking assistance from Interpol to apprehend three suspects implicated in the audacious theft.
These individuals are accused of conspiring with former central bank chief Godwin Emefiele, who is already on trial facing multiple charges, including the illegal receipt of the $6.2 million. Emefiele, however, vehemently denies all allegations and is currently out on bail.
The alleged accomplices have been identified as Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Odoh Ocheme, the latter being a former employee of the central bank. Authorities believe that these individuals have fled the country, prompting the urgent need for international cooperation to arrest and repatriate them.
The decision to seek Interpol’s assistance comes after testimony from Boss Mustapha, a senior official in the previous administration of President Buhari.
Mustapha informed the court that neither he nor Buhari had authorized the withdrawal of the funds, emphasizing that the signature used was a “faint attempt” at reproducing the former president’s signature.
The alleged theft occurred just months before Buhari’s term ended, with prosecutors asserting that Emefiele falsified documents to facilitate the withdrawal. The funds were purportedly intended for payment to foreign election observers.