By Jane Okafor, Abuja
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday heard that $6.23 million was withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) using forged signatures during the tenure of former governor Godwin Emefiele.
Testifying before the court, a prosecution witness, Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, revealed that the falsified documents bore the names of late President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
Emefiele is standing trial on multiple fraud-related charges, including allegations that he authorised the release of the funds for international election observers during the 2023 general elections—claims he has denied.
Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police with the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, told the court that investigations uncovered that the funds were fraudulently taken from the apex bank’s Abuja vault. He added that some suspects linked to the withdrawal confessed during interrogation.
Led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), the witness said he was part of a police team assigned to support special investigator Jim Obaze, who was appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe activities surrounding the CBN and the naira redesign policy.
According to the witness, the investigative team gathered intelligence, interrogated suspects, and obtained statements implicating several individuals. He noted that one of the suspects, identified as Maishanu, admitted involvement in the fraudulent transaction.
Okpoziakpo further disclosed that the Office of the SGF denied making any request for funds related to election observers during the 2023 polls. Despite this, documents were allegedly used to process the payment, including a letter claiming presidential approval.
He identified key exhibits before the court, including documents requesting the release of the funds and a January 24, 2023 letter purportedly conveying President Buhari’s approval. The witness confirmed that the request was processed and the money disbursed.
Additional exhibits recovered from the CBN Abuja branch detailed the cash movement, including a record showing the payout in $100 bills and an internal memo authorising the release of the funds.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case to July 2 for continuation of hearing.
