The trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, continued on Thursday before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
A forensic analyst confirmed that the documents used to request the payment of $6.2 million for foreign election observers were forged.
The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that after conducting a forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he found clear evidence of forgery. The signature and seal of execution on the documents were different from the original ones.
He also confirmed that the signatures were not those of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
The trial judge, Justice Muazu, admitted the two documents, Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election and Presidential Directive on Foreign Observer Election, as evidence.
During cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, the witness clarified that he was not an EFCC staff and was not paid by the agency, but his salary was managed by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa, criticized the witness for evading questions and misleading the court.
On the other hand, the Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, expressed dissatisfaction with the defense counsel.
The trial will resume on March 11.
Emefiele is currently facing trial before Justice Muazu on 20 amended charges related to corrupt practices, conspiracy, breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining money through deception totaling $6,230,000.
He is accused of pretending to be the SGF in order to fraudulently obtain $6.2 million. In mid-February, former SGF Mustapha testified in court, stating that he had no knowledge of the transaction until he left office in May 2023.
He also mentioned that during his five years and seven months in office, the document in question did not come from the then President Buhari’s office.
