Buhari, Boss Mustapha’s signatures were forged to defraud Nigeria of $6.2m in CBN – EFCC insists at Emefiele trial
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Accuses Former CBN Governor of Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) testified Monday at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, alleging that the signatures of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged in a scheme to defraud Nigeria of $6.23 million.
Assistant Commander II of the EFCC, Chinedu Eneanya, informed the court that five officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) allegedly facilitated the transfer of the funds under the pretense that they were for payments to foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections. This testimony was presented in relation to the trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. Emefiele faces a 20-count charge, including criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy to obtain money under false pretenses.
During the proceedings, Eneanya, the 13th prosecution witness, explained that evidence collected during the investigation suggested that the $6.23 million was removed from CBN accounts for the purported purpose of funding international observers for the elections. He stated that interviews were conducted with those involved in the transactions, and documentation was recovered from the CBN.
Eneanya confirmed that forensic analysis indicated that the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha were indeed forged. However, during cross-examination, Emefiele’s attorney, Mathew Burkaa, SAN, pointed out that forensic tests had not been conducted on Emefiele’s signature, despite claims that it too had been forged. Eneanya acknowledged that the five CBN employees who authorized the fund’s release had only been suspended and were not facing trial.
Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. His legal team criticized the EFCC for presenting an additional Investigating Police Officer (IPO), arguing that the new witness would provide redundant testimony. They expressed concern that the prosecution had previously indicated it would conclude its case.
The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, informed the court that two additional witnesses were expected to be called but had not yet been subpoenaed. This prompted Emefiele’s counsel to request that the case be closed if those witnesses failed to appear by April 28.
Justice Hamza Muazu directed both parties to reserve detailed arguments for their final addresses and asked the prosecution to prepare the necessary subpoenas. The court has scheduled the continuation of the trial for April 28.
