A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria 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.
It said 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.
The revelation came during the resumed hearing of the case marked FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, where Emefiele is facing a 20-count charge filed by the federal government.
The charges include 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 Central Bank of Nigeria. According to him, the money was allegedly processed under the claim that it was meant for foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections.
He explained that a team was set up to probe the transaction and several documents were retrieved from the apex bank. These documents, he said, formed part of the evidence now 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 told the court.
Eneanya added that those linked to the transaction were invited and questioned. He further stated that forensic analysis was carried out on key documents tied to the approval process.
The EFCC witness maintained that the outcome of the forensic checks showed that the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha were not genuine. He said the discovery pointed to a deliberate attempt by some individuals to deceive authorities and move public funds unlawfully.
However, proceedings took a dramatic turn during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa, SAN. The witness admitted that no forensic examination was conducted on Emefiele’s own signature, despite the former CBN governor’s position that his signature may have also been forged.
The witness also told the court that five CBN officials endorsed the internal memo that authorised the release of the funds. He confirmed that none of those officials is currently standing trial alongside Emefiele, adding that they were only suspended by the bank.
When questioned further, Eneanya said he did not personally obtain any extra-judicial statement from the defendant. He also disclosed that there was no direct evidence before him showing that Emefiele personally received any part of the funds.
According to him, a claim was made by Emefiele’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Omeke, that money was received on behalf of the former apex bank chief. But the witness admitted he did not investigate that specific claim.
Earlier in the session, the defence team raised concerns over the prosecution’s approach. Burkaa argued that bringing another investigating officer to testify was unnecessary, noting that similar testimonies had already been presented by previous witnesses.
He accused the prosecution of repeating evidence and wasting the court’s time. “We understand their strategy. It seems they are ridiculing the court. All the same, we are ready to go on,” he said.
The defence also pushed for the court to close the prosecution’s case if it fails to produce its remaining witnesses at the next adjourned date. This followed the prosecution’s indication that some of its witnesses were yet to be served subpoenas and were currently outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that two additional witnesses were expected to testify. He identified them as Jim Obessa and CP Eloho Okpozikbo.
Responding to the defence’s application, Oyedepo urged the court not to shut out the prosecution. He said the EFCC remained committed to ensuring a fair and speedy trial.
Presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, advised both parties to reserve their arguments for their final written addresses. He also directed the prosecution to take necessary steps to secure the attendance of its remaining witnesses.
The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 28 for continuation of trial.
Emefiele has continued to deny all allegations brought against him.