The Federal Government of Nigeria has called upon Interpol to place three individuals on its watchlist amidst allegations of forgery and embezzlement totaling $6.2 million.
Among the accused are a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) staff member, Odoh Ocheme, and two accomplices, Adamu and Imam Abubakar, who are purportedly involved in forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari to orchestrate the theft from the apex bank.
Eloho Okpoziakpo, Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of Operation at the Office of Special Investigator, penned a letter outlining the accusations and urging Interpol’s intervention.
The accused are alleged to have conspired to forge documents in Buhari’s name, including an Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Identity Card in the name of Jibril Abubakar, letters dated January 23 and 26, 2023, ostensibly written by Buhari and Boss Mustapha respectively, and internal memos from the Central Bank of Nigeria dated January 31 and February 7, 2023.
The forged documents were purportedly used to deceive authorities, with the aim of inducing the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Abuja Branch to disburse $6,230,000.00.
The government has provided evidence, including Odoh Ocheme’s Nigerian International Passport and certified true copies of warrants and court orders, to substantiate its claims.
The request for Interpol’s involvement underscores the severity of the allegations and the government’s commitment to pursuing justice in cases of financial fraud and forgery.
