By Adekunle Oluwafunmilayo
A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that key signatures used to withdraw millions of dollars were forged.
The anti-graft agency made the claim on Monday before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, stating that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were falsified to facilitate the release of $6.23 million.
Emefiele is facing charges bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money under false pretence.
Testifying as the 13th prosecution witness, EFCC Assistant Commander II, Chinedu Eneanya, told the court that investigators uncovered how the funds were moved from the apex bank. He said the money was allegedly processed under the pretext that it was meant for foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections.
According to Eneanya, a probe team retrieved several documents from the CBN, which now form part of the evidence before the court.
“The investigation revealed that the money, $6.2 million, was removed from the coffers of the CBN for a purported funding of foreign observers for the 2023 elections,” he said.
He added that individuals linked to the transaction were invited and questioned, while forensic analysis was conducted on key approval documents. The outcome, he maintained, showed that the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha were not genuine, suggesting a deliberate attempt to mislead authorities and unlawfully move public funds.
However, proceedings took a dramatic turn during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, when the witness admitted that no forensic analysis was carried out on Emefiele’s own signature, despite the defendant’s claim that it may also have been forged.
Eneanya further revealed that five CBN officials endorsed the internal memo authorising the release of the funds, but none of them is currently standing trial alongside Emefiele. He noted that the officials were only suspended by the bank.
The witness also told the court that he did not personally obtain any extra-judicial statement from the defendant and had no direct evidence showing that Emefiele personally received any part of the funds.
He disclosed that although a claim was made by Emefiele’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Omeke, that money was received on behalf of the former CBN governor, he did not investigate that assertion.
Earlier, the defence team criticised the prosecution’s approach, arguing that calling another investigating officer amounted to a repetition of evidence already presented. Burkaa accused the prosecution of wasting the court’s time but said the defence was prepared to proceed.
The defence also urged the court to close the prosecution’s case if it fails to present its remaining witnesses at the next hearing, following indications that some witnesses had not been served subpoenas and were outside the court’s jurisdiction.
In response, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, told the court that two additional witnesses Jim Obessa and CP Eloho Okpozikbo are expected to testify, urging the court to allow the prosecution to conclude its case.
Presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, advised both parties to reserve their arguments for final written addresses and directed the prosecution to ensure the attendance of its remaining witnesses.
The case was adjourned to April 28 for continuation of trial, while Emefiele has continued to deny all allegations.
