The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, took a new turn on Tuesday as a prosecution witness told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that several suspects confessed to the fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the apex bank.
Emefiele is being tried before Justice Hamza Muazu at the Maitama Division on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the $6.23 million was earmarked for international election observers during the 2023 general elections but was fraudulently withdrawn.
Testifying as the 14th prosecution witness, Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police with the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, told the court that intelligence reports and confessional statements from suspects confirmed the fraudulent nature of the transaction.
Okpoziakpo, who was part of the investigative team supporting special investigator Jim Obaze, said his role included interrogating suspects, taking statements, and providing intelligence for the probe initiated by President Bola Tinubu.
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According to him, investigations revealed that the funds were withdrawn from the CBN’s Abuja branch with the approval of the defendant. He added that one of the suspects, identified as Maishanu, confessed during interrogation.
The witness further disclosed that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied requesting any funds for election observers, contradicting the justification for the withdrawal.
He also identified key documents already admitted in evidence, including a request for the release of the funds addressed to Emefiele and a letter purportedly conveying presidential approval from former President Muhammadu Buhari, dated January 24, 2023.
Okpoziakpo told the court that the request was processed and the cash disbursed, with records showing the funds were paid out in $100 denominations on February 8, 2023. He added that he personally recovered several exhibits from the CBN Abuja branch linked to the withdrawal.
Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Muazu adjourned the case until July 2 for continuation of hearing.
