Fresh testimony has emerged in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, with a prosecution witness telling the court that suspects admitted to involvement in the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the apex bank.
Emefiele is being prosecuted before Justice Hamza Muazu at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama on a 20-count amended charge, which includes allegations of criminal breach of trust, forgery, conspiracy, abuse of office, and obtaining funds under false pretences.
The money in question was reportedly earmarked for international election observers during the 2023 general election.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is also alleging that the former CBN governor conferred undue benefits on two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. He has denied all charges.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the 14th prosecution witness, Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police attached to the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, detailed his role in the investigation.
He said he was part of a team working with Jim Obaze, a special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe activities at the CBN and other government institutions.
Okpoziakpo told the court that his duties involved questioning suspects, collecting evidence, and supporting the investigative process with intelligence reports.
He said findings from the probe pointed to a fraudulent withdrawal of the funds from the Abuja branch of the CBN, allegedly authorised by the defendant.
He stated, “Investigation revealed that the money was fraudulently taken because some of the suspects, including Maishanu, who we investigated, confessed.
“The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied ever requesting money for election observers, which was claimed the money was meant for. We wrote to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and they responded.”
The witness further informed the court that the transaction was backed by documentation, including a letter said to contain presidential approval issued during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He identified several exhibits previously admitted in evidence, explaining that Exhibit PD6 was a formal request for the release of the funds addressed to Emefiele, while Exhibit PD7 was the purported approval dated January 24, 2023.
According to him, the process was completed and the funds were disbursed. He also told the court that he personally retrieved Exhibits PD1 to PD5 from the CBN Abuja branch, including records showing that the money was released in $100 denominations on February 8, 2023.
Following the proceedings, Justice Muazu adjourned the case until July 2 for continuation of trial.