In a significant development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has found himself at the center of a controversy as he receives a petition accusing billionaire businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote of allegedly siphoning $3.4 billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The petition, filed by Ahmed Fahan, a prominent advocate for social justice, raises serious concerns about Dangote’s purported violation of the CBN’s Forex Guidelines over a span of a decade.
The detailed petition, obtained by POLITICS NIGERIA, presents a compelling case of financial misconduct that accuses the Dangote Group of blatantly flouting CBN’s forex regulations for an extended period. The alleged violation centers on the diversion of a staggering $3.4 billion from Nigeria’s national treasury, reportedly executed at exchange rates significantly lower than the prevailing market rates, ranging between 150 to 200 USD. This diversion took place while the parallel exchange rate was notably higher, more than double the rates employed in the reported maneuvering.
Addressing the President directly, the petition, attached to a letter dated August 18th, 2023, begins with a pointed introduction:
The Letter read; “BRAZEN ILLEGALITY: HOW DANGOTE SIPHONED $3.4BILLION DOLLARS THROUGH THE CBN USING FORM A”
“I write to you today as an alarmed Nigerian citizen and a tenacious advocate for social justice. I bring to your attention a scandalous issue of gross financial misconduct and illegality involving the Dangote Group – a flagrant abuse of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) forex guidelines for the past 10 years.”
“First exposed by Dr. Ope Banwo of Change Vigilantes International (CVI) in his 2016 petition to the former President Buhari(read here: https://www.ripplesnigeria.com/dangote-forex-violation-cbn/?amp) this brazen illegality involves a shocking violation of CBN guidelines, causing a USD 3.4 billion diversion from Nigeria’s national treasury at rates between 150-200USD when the parallel exchange rate was more than double that. This insidious financial maneuvering still threatens the very stability of our country’s economy even today.”
“Astoundingly, this flagrant siphoning was carried out using Form A, instead of the legal route through Form M, which is tantamount to a gross violation of the law as it offers no financial returns to our country. The barefaced audacity of these financial transgressions is further displayed by several implicated banks, which have audaciously sanctioned millions of dollars at the CBN rate to the Dangote Group, in direct violation of CBN’s instructions to source funds from the parallel or interbank market.”
“These unscrupulous actions facilitated the illegal transfer of funds for supposed foreign investments, including the supposed construction of factories in countries like Congo and Liberia. These funds were moved out of Nigeria with the alleged unlawful aim of industrial developments in other nations, while our own country was left bereft of these much-needed investments.”
More worryingly, there are several instances, such as in Liberia, where promised factories were never built. The siphoned funds were, instead, reportedly transferred to Dangote’s accounts abroad, thereby exploiting Form A for illicit cash movements that cannot be reclaimed by our country.
“It must be highlighted that the approvals sought from the CBN clearly stated that money sought by Dangote must be bought from the Interbank market – which means money outside the CBN. However, the funds were bought and transferred from the national treasury with the CBN, which was illegal. On a continued basis over the years and contrary to the approvals, Emefiele’s CBN continued illegally supplying money from Nigeria’s treasury at cheaper rates to Dangote Group (see some evidence attached). This is an illegality that must be righted. For instance in 2015, Form A number AA2541751 was used to transfer over 341million through telegraphic transfer (ECOBANK) in contravention of CBN directive to use interbank funds only for the Dangote Project in Cameroon whilst on February 12, 2016, Form A number AA2649626 was used to transfer over 420million for spare parts in Congo, also in contravention of the CBN directive.”
“To further highlight the brazenness of these actions, it recently came to light that the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had borrowed USD 1 billion from Afrexim Bank in the second quarter of 2023, USD 750 million of which was illegally funneled to Dangote at a concessionary rate. These funds were subsequently transferred to Dangote’s account abroad just as previously done in the past.”
“Your Excellency, as the beacon of hope for our nation’s financial integrity, your swift action is desperately needed to rectify these glaring injustices. We implore you to order a comprehensive and immediate investigation into these flagrant violations of our financial laws.”
“We call upon you to ensure these stolen funds are returned and used for the betterment of our nation under your committed administration. This enforcement is essential not just to deter future violations but also to underscore the ethos of accountability and transparency that your administration represents. We enjoin you to direct the EFCC, ICPC, DSS and other relevant security agencies to investigate these illegal acts against our economy and ensure these funds are returned.”
“The time for a new era has come—an era where the rule of law supersedes illicit privileges, and economic justice becomes our national cornerstone. By addressing this issue decisively, you will send a powerful message that corruption, in all its forms, will no longer be tolerated in our country.”
“Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
Yours faithfully,
Ahmed Fahad
A Concerned Nigerian and Social Justice Advocate”.
