The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that the signatures of late President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha were forged in a scheme used to allegedly divert $6.23 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
Testifying as the 13th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, EFCC official Chinedu Eneanya said investigations showed the funds were released under the pretext of paying foreign election observers for the 2023 general elections.
According to him, five CBN officials authorized the disbursement, while forensic analysis confirmed that the signatures attributed to Buhari and Mustapha were not genuine. He added that documents relating to the transaction were recovered during the probe.
Emefiele is facing a 20-count amended charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretenses. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Mathew Burkaa, SAN, highlighted that no forensic examination was conducted on Emefiele’s signature, despite his claim that it was also forged. The witness further admitted he did not establish that Emefiele personally received any of the funds.
He also confirmed that the five CBN officials linked to the transaction are not standing trial but were only suspended by the bank.
Proceedings saw a dispute over the prosecution’s witnesses, with the defense accusing the EFCC of delaying tactics and seeking to have its case closed if remaining witnesses fail to appear.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, however, urged the court not to shut out the remaining witnesses, noting they were yet to be served subpoenas and are currently outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Justice Hamza Muazu directed the prosecution to produce all outstanding witnesses by April 28 and adjourned the case for continuation of trial.
