Emefiele Forged Documents Used to Pay Foreign Observers $6.2m, Says Ex-SGF Boss Mustapha.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, revealed on Tuesday that $6.2 million was disbursed from the Central Bank of Nigeria in February 2023 using forged documents.
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Mustapha made this statement as the fourth prosecution witness during the ongoing fraud trial of the immediate-past CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that on February 8, 2023, Emefiele collaborated with Odoh Ocheme to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the SGF “vide a letter dated 26th January 2023 with Ref No. SGF.43/L.01/.”
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Mustapha, led in evidence by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), emphasized that the documents did not originate from the president or his office. He denied receiving any amount from the money in question.
Mustapha stated, “All through my service year as the SGF, I never came across these documents it was claimed that Buhari signed. From the face value of this document, having served for five years and seven months as SGF, this document did not emanate from the president for the following reasons.”
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He pointed out irregularities such as the absence of a reference number on a correspondence with the president’s seal and emphasized that FEC decisions are not transmitted by letters but through extracts.
Mustapha also clarified that the approval for the fund was never on the agenda of the Federal Executive Council held on January 18, 2023, and could not have been approved.
The former SGF further disputed the authenticity of the letter conveying presidential directives for the money, stating that it did not come from him, and he was not aware of the content. He also disassociated himself from the coordinator allegedly involved in the task force.
The trial judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, adjourned the matter till March 7, 11, and 25 for the continuation of the trial.
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During cross-examination, counsel for the defendant, Mathew Bukkaar (SAN), inquired if there was any memo authorizing payments to any government agency related to this transaction. Mustapha responded in the negative, specifying that there could have been other memos but not for this particular transaction.
The defense counsel also questioned the former SGF about the practice of sending staff to banks to receive cash for any purpose in the OSGF. Mustapha firmly denied such a practice, stating that it was not usual and that, if necessary, one of his six permanent secretaries would handle such matters.
Earlier in the proceedings, Ogbu Michael, a Deputy Director at the CBN, testified that he authorized the payment of $6.2 million after approval from the banking services department. The money was paid in cash and was expected to be refunded in the second quarter of 2023.
When asked about the authentication of the identity card used for the payment, Ogbu clarified that he relied on the payment instruction and did not go beyond the attached identity card. He confirmed that the money was paid in USD cash to Jubril, and none of the commonly recognized identity cards was attached to the document.
Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the trial until March 7, 11, and 25 for its continuation.
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