By Trend News Line 2024-06-19 10:32:16.
Investigation into Alleged $6.2 Million Cash Theft at CBN Unveils Shocking Details
Recent revelations have shed light on the intricate web of deceit and collusion that led to the alleged theft of $6,230,000 from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on February 8, 2023. The saga began when President Bola Tinubu initiated a special investigative team, headed by Jim Obaze, to delve into the tenure of former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele.
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Emefiele’s Trial and Amended Criminal Charges
Emefiele now faces a 20-count amended criminal charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges include allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy to commit forgery, procurement fraud, and conspiracy to commit a felony.
According to court documents, Emefiele and Odoh Ocheme, who is currently on the run, purportedly orchestrated the theft of $6.2 million from the CBN. They claimed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) had requested the funds, using forged letters to support their fraudulent activities.
Insider Job and Collaborators
Investigators have described the crime as an insider job, implicating CBN staff members along with two outsiders, Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar, as collaborators. Emefiele’s personal assistant, Odoh Eric Ocheme, allegedly received the lion’s share of $3,730,000, justifying it by citing other interests within the bank.
Some beneficiaries of the stolen funds reportedly invested their shares, estimated at N1.4 billion, in real estate. A portion of these investments has already been recovered, shedding light on the elaborate scheme devised by the perpetrators.
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Extradition Proceedings and Forged Documents
Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Ocheme are currently at large, with extradition proceedings underway to bring them to justice. The investigation uncovered forged documents, including letters purportedly from former President Muhammadu Buhari and the SGF, Boss Mustapha, used to facilitate the theft.
Further investigations revealed that the signatures on these documents were forged, casting doubt on the authenticity of the transactions. Jibril Abubakar, used as a conduit to withdraw the stolen funds, was not an employee of the SGF office, highlighting the extent of the deception.
Real Estate Investments and Confessions
Collaborators in the theft scheme invested the stolen funds in real estate, with substantial amounts being funnelled into property ventures. The managing director of Afrolyk Global Ltd, Aminu Lawal, confirmed receiving investments from the perpetrators and has since refunded a portion of the illicit funds.
Confessions from Bashirudeen Maishanu, a key figure in the operation, corroborated the involvement of Adamu Abubakar, Imam Abubakar, and Ocheme in the crime. Maishanu detailed how the stolen funds were shared amongst the collaborators and further disclosed the intricate web of deceit that led to the theft.
The investigation continues to unravel the complexities of the case, shedding light on the extent of corruption and collusion within the CBN. As the perpetrators remain at large, efforts are underway to bring them to justice and recover the stolen funds.
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– stolen from CBN shared and invested real estate
– CBN stolen shared invested real estate.
