By Anthony Otaru, Abuja
A prosecution witness on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that $6.23 billion was allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under false pretences to finance foreign election observers during the 2023 general election, purportedly.
The witness, Chinedu Eneanya, who testified before Justice Hamza Muazu as the 13th prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, said investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered what he described as a fraudulent scheme involving forged presidential authorisation.
The EFCC is prosecuting Emefiele on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining by false pretence.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Eneanya said he was part of the investigative team assigned to probe allegations against the former apex bank chief.
According to him, “Investigations revealed that the sum of $6.23 billion was removed from the coffers of the CBN purportedly for the funding of foreign observers for the 2023 general election.”
He told the court that investigators invited and questioned individuals linked to the transaction and recovered key documents from the CBN authorising the release of the funds.
Eneanya further disclosed that the probe uncovered forged signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, on documents used to facilitate the controversial disbursement.
“Findings showed that the signatures of both officials were forged, and forensic analysis confirmed they were not genuine,” he said.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN), the witness also revealed that five CBN officials who signed the internal memo connected to the transaction had been suspended.
Earlier, Burkaa urged the court to foreclose the prosecution’s case if it failed to produce its remaining two witnesses at the next hearing, accusing the prosecution of deliberate delay.
However, Oyedepo opposed the application, insisting the prosecution was not stalling proceedings but facing logistical difficulties in securing the attendance of witnesses currently outside the court’s jurisdiction in Benin City and Lagos.
Justice Muazu advised both parties to reserve arguments on the application until final addresses and directed the prosecution to work with the court registrar to issue subpoenas to compel witness attendance.
The case was adjourned until April 28, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
