Forensic expert confirms forged documents in $6.2m CBN fraud case
A Forensic Document Examiner seconded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bamaiyi Haruna, revealed on Thursday that analysis conducted on the documents involved in the disbursement of $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in February 2023 indicated forgery.
The EFCC had accused Emefiele, the CBN Governor, of colluding with Odoh Ocheme, who is currently on the run, to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN under false pretences.
The huge sum was allegedly requested by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) in a letter dated January 26, 2023, with reference number SGF.43/L.01/.
The EFCC also alleged that the embattled former governor of the Central Bank, in January 2023, forged a document titled: “RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS,” dated 26 January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/201.
Recall that former Secretary of the Government of the Federation(SGF), Boss Mustapha, had explained that the documents did not originate from former President Mohammadu Buhari or his office.
The sixth prosecution witness in the case, Haruna, said that the ex-SGF’s and Buhari’s actual signatures were compared to those in the documents and found to be different.
He said, “The conclusion from the analysis revealed that the disputed documents showed evidence of forgery and copying art as the pen movement form and formation of the signatures and the skill of execution were found to be different from that of the specimen signatures A to A2 and B to B1.
“The form and formation of the signatures marked x and the specimen signature marked B to B1 were found to be different in respect of pen movement impulses, skill of execution, loop formation, and presence of tremors, there were individual characteristics.
“This is a confirmation that the author of the specimen signatures marked B to B1 does not rhyme with the signature of Buhari on the disputed document marked X.
“Also, the form and formation of the disputed signatures marked X1 and Specimen signature A2 were also found to be different concerning pen movement impulses.
“Initial and terminal strokes, loop formation, presence of tremors, and individual characteristics. This is also a confirmation that the author of the specimen signature marked A2 did not rhyme with the signature of Boss Mustapha on the disputed document marked X1.”
Reports went viral after Nigeria sought the help of Interpol to arrest three suspects who allegedly stole $6.2m (£4.9m) from the central bank, using the forged signature of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Authorities believe that the suspects conspired with Nigeria’s former central bank chief Godwin Emefiele.
The ex-CBN boss is already on trial on 20 charges, including illegally receiving the $6.2m.
He has denied all the charges, and is currently out on bail.
In a statement last December, he described the allegations as “barefaced lies told by the investigator in order to achieve his satanic agenda”. He called for a “thorough and transparent investigation”.
