A civil society group has condemned the recent forgery scandal at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), describing it as “unacceptable” and “a grave betrayal of public trust.”
In a statement signed by Emmanuel John, the group expressed outrage over the forgery of President Muhammadu Buhari’s signature, calling it “the highest fraud ever in Nigeria.”
The statement alleged that former President Buhari’s signature was forged to withdraw $6.2 million in cash from a CBN account.
It stated that while Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the CBN, is being prosecuted, Eric Odoh Ocheme and some other CBN staff involved in the scam are nowhere to be found, with Eric suspected to be hiding in Canada.
“We are shocked and appalled that such a brazen act of fraud could occur at the very heart of our financial system,” the statement read.
“That the then President and Commander- in- Chief’s signature could be so callously forged is a slap in the face to the Nigerian people and a clear indication of the rampant corruption that plagues our institutions.”
The group demanded immediate action from the government to bring those responsible to justice and address the systemic failures that allowed the fraud to occur.
“We call on the government to take swift and decisive action to investigate this scandal and bring all those involved to book,” the statement continued.
“We also demand a comprehensive overhaul of the CBN and other relevant institutions to ensure that such a fraud can never happen again.”
The group warned that failure to take action would undermine trust in the government and the financial system and have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economic stability.
“We will not stand idly by while those who have betrayed our trust are allowed to escape justice,” the statement concluded. “We demand justice, and we demand it now.”
OBSERVERS TIMES recalled that “The Special Investigator, Jim Obazee, has requested the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) to place three suspects on Red Notice.
This request follows an order by Justice I.E. Ekwo, issued on January 18th, 2024, for the warrants of arrest of the suspects.
The Federal Government has also filed a six-count extradition charge against the three suspects, who are alleged to be on the run.
In a letter dated February 12th, 2024, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in the National Central Bureau of INTERPOL in Abuja, Obazee requested the organization to watch-list and place the suspects on Red Notice.
The letter, signed by the Head of Operations, Office of the Special Investigator, DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo, stated that the suspects were involved in a case of conspiracy and fraud.
According to the letter, the Special Investigator, appointed by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, discovered that Mr. Odoh Eric Ocheme, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and his two accomplices, now at large, conspired and forged documents in the name of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and stole approximately $6,230,000 from the CBN.
Consequently, a charge was filed, and warrants of arrest were issued by the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, presided over by Hon. Justice I.E. Ekwo, in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/19/2024.
The Special Investigator requested INTERPOL to apprehend and repatriate the defendants from any member state to which they may have fled.
Justice Inyang Ekwo had earlier granted an ex-parte order for the issuance of the warrants for the arrest of the three defendants.
