‘Fake Currencies Only Identifiable Through Lab Processes’

A staff of the Nigeria
Security, Printing and
Minting Company (NSPMC), Mr Kabiru Usman said that fake currencies were only identified through laboratory processes.
Usman said this last Wednesday under cross examination in a suit between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Uchenna Iroakazi at the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu.
Responding to a question from counsel to the accused, Mr E. Onyeigbo, the prosecution witness said that it would be difficult to identify a fake currency without subjecting it to laboratory tests.
Usman told the court under oath that his organisation had on February 16, 2012 received a letter from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) requesting for analysis of some suspected fake bank notes.
He said that the currencies recovered from the accused were later found to be counterfeit after series of laboratory examinations he conducted on March 5, 2012.
“As our schedule, anytime we receive exhibits, we raise the temperature to 90 degrees centigrade in the paper laboratory.
“The reason for this is to allow the bank note to raise the security features. After that, we check the security features again.
“We use ultra-violet light to check the dullness of the paper, security traits, caliper and plan chetts to confirm if the currency is fake,” Usman said.
In an interview with newsmen, the prosecution counsel, Mr Marshall Onome said that the accused was standing trial for altering and being in possession of counterfeit currency to the tune of N100, 000.
The presiding judge, Justice Dorothy Agishi adjourned the case to March 17, for continuation of hearing.