President Obasanjo will sign every page

Mr Obasanjo said it was virtually impossible to tell the difference between the real bill and forgeries.

The bill is a critical one, as it sets out how Nigeria's revenue is shared out between federal and local governments.

He said it would be checked and every page would be signed by him before he sent it back to MPs and senators.

Opposition MPs have accused the president of recalling the bill in order to cut federal funds, but a debate on the issue has been ruled out.

Nigeria is rated as the second most corrupt country in the world.

A BBC reporter in Lagos describes forgery as a popular and lucrative past-time in the country.