Mysterious snake in Nigeria ate more than £70,000 missing state funds, woman claims

A sales clerk said a mysterious snake ate the equivalent of more than £70,000
Foto-Rabe
Ella Wills13 February 2018

A sales clerk in Nigeria has been suspended after she told auditors that a snake had swallowed the equivalent of more than £70,000.

The woman, Philomenia Chieshe, was working at the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, which collects examination fees.

After 36 million naira (£72,050) went missing from the exam board, Ms Chieshe blamed the animal.

But the government organisation dismissed her claim and has started disciplinary proceedings, according to reports.

Local reports said that the clerk claimed her housemaid and a work colleague had confessed to using the mysterious snake to "spiritually" steal the cash from from accounts office.

However, the incident sparked ridicule by people in Nigeria on social media, with thousands reacting to the bizarre story.

One person shared an image of the mobile phone game Snake, adding: "Here is a CCTV footage of the moment a strange snake crawled into JAMB office and swallowed N36 million, we hope this footage will help apprehend the reptile."

A Twitter account was set up for the snake under the name @NigeriaSnake, which has gained more than 7,000 followers since it was launched over the weekend.

And Nigeria's anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, also joined in on the mockery.

It tweeted an image of an eagle - the national symbol - crushing a snake.

The Commission added: "#TheEagle shows no mercy for money-swallowing snake(s)."

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