Forgery Scandal: Forensic Expert Affirms Documents Used by Godwin Emefiele for $6.2m Withdrawal Were Forged.
In a significant development, a forensic document examiner seconded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bamaiyi Haruna, revealed on Thursday that an analysis of documents used to release $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria in February 2023 indicated forgery.
Allegation against Godwin Emefiele.
The EFCC had alleged that on February 8, 2023, the former CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, collaborated with Odoh Ocheme (now on the run) to obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, claiming it was requested by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) through a letter dated January 26, 2023, with Reference No. SGF.43/L.01/.
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Haruna, the sixth prosecution witness, disclosed that the analysis of real signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the ex-SGF Boss Mustapha revealed discrepancies with the signatures on the disputed documents.
He stated, “The conclusion from the analysis revealed that the disputed documents showed evidence of forgery and copying art as the pen movement form and formation of the signatures and the skill of execution were found to be different from that of the specimen signatures A to A2 and B to Bi.
“The form and formation of the signatures marked X and the specimen signature marked B to B1 were found to be different in respect of pen movement impulses, skill of execution, loop formation, and presence of tremors, there were individual characteristics.
This is a confirmation that the author of the specimen signatures marked B to B1 does not rhyme with the signature of Buhari on the disputed document marked X.”
He continued, “Also, the form and formation of the disputed signatures marked X1 and Specimen signature A2 were also found to be different in respect to pen movement impulses.
Initial and terminal strokes, loop formation, presence of tremors, and individual characteristics. This is also a confirmation that the author of the specimen signature marked A2 did not rhyme with the signature of Boss Mustapha on the disputed document marked X1.”
During cross-examination, Mathew Burkaa (SAN) lawyer to Godwin Emefiele inquired how the court would determine the similarity or dissimilarity of two signatures. The witness urged the court to rely on the report.
The EFCC’s counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), applied to the court to tender the forensic report dated January 25, 2024, and other documents attached as exhibits, which was not opposed by Emefiele’s lawyer.
Justice Hamza Muazu subsequently admitted the report as evidence and marked them as exhibits FDE. The case was adjourned until March 11.
