The Federal Government has taken legal action against Odoh Ocheme, an employee of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), along with two others, Adamu Abubakar and Imam Abubakar, for their alleged involvement in a significant financial fraud. The trio stands accused of forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari to orchestrate the theft of $6.2 million from the CBN’s funds.
In a formal communication addressed to the Assistant Inspector General of Police by the Office of the CBN Special Investigator, it was revealed that Ocheme and his associates are wanted for their role in a conspiracy to fabricate documents in the name of the former President, thereby facilitating the unlawful withdrawal of $6,230,000 from the CBN’s treasury.
The letter, signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police Eloho Okpoziakpo, Head of Operation at the Office of Special Investigator, stated: “In the course of the Special Investigator’s assignment, Mr. Odoh Ocheme, a CBN staff member currently at large, along with the other two accomplices, were found to have colluded and forged documents in the name of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, resulting in the misappropriation of approximately US$6,230,000 in cash from the CBN.”
Following these revelations, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Division, under the jurisdiction of Honorable Justice I.E. Ekwo, has issued warrants for the arrest of the accused individuals in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/19/2024, titled Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Adamu Abubakar & 2 Ors, for their subsequent arraignment.
The letter further appealed to the Interpol for assistance in placing the defendants on a red notice, urging member states to cooperate in their arrest and extradition. The passport details of Odoh Ocheme, along with certified copies of the warrants and court orders, were enclosed for reference.
In parallel developments, the Federal Government has filed a six-count charge against Ocheme and his alleged accomplices, signaling a decisive step in addressing this financial misconduct.