In response to an alleged case of fraud involving the Godwin Emefiele-led Central Bank of Nigeria, the Presidency has formally requested the assistance of INTERPOL in apprehending three individuals.
These individuals include a staff member of the CBN and two others, who are currently at large. The request, submitted on Monday, is in connection with their alleged involvement in a conspiracy to forge signatures and documents in the name of former President Muhammadu Buhari, with the aim of embezzling $6.23 million from the CBN.
According to a letter obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday, the suspects have been identified as Odoh Ocheme, a CBN staff member, and two accomplices named Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar. The letter, dated February 12, 2024, bears the reference number CR:3000/TSI/ABJ/VOL.1/85 and was signed by DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo, Head of Operations at the Office of the Special Investigator.
The letter highlights that the three individuals conspired to forge documents in the name of the former President, resulting in the misappropriation of $6.23 million from the CBN. It further states that a charge has been filed against them, and arrest warrants have been issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, under Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/19/2024 B/w: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Adamu Abubakar & 2 Ors, with the purpose of arraigning the defendants.
Additionally, the letter includes relevant details such as Odoh Eric Ocheme’s Nigerian International Passport number (B50082800) and certified true copies of the warrants and the Court’s order.
The Federal High Court, Abuja, has filed six-count charges against Abubakar, Ocheme, Abubakar, Bashirudeen Maishanu, and several others who are currently at large. The charges pertain to offenses such as obtaining funds through false pretenses, conspiracy, and forgery of various documents, including an identity card from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and several letters allegedly written by prominent officials.
The ongoing investigation, authorized by President Bola Tinubu, underscores the government’s commitment to combatting fraud and holding those involved accountable for their actions. The cooperation sought from INTERPOL aims to facilitate the arrest and subsequent legal proceedings against the suspects.