The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, Godwin Emefiele, continued before Justice Hamza Muazu at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over allegations tied to a $6.23 million transaction.
Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge (FCT/HC/CR/577/2023) brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The charges include criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money under false pretence. The funds in question were allegedly intended for international election observers during the 2023 general elections.
The anti-graft agency also accused him of granting undue advantages to two firms—April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Emefiele has denied all allegations.
At Tuesday’s hearing, a prosecution witness, Eloho Edwin Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police with the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, testified about his role in the investigation. He told the court that he was part of a team supporting Jim Obaze, appointed by President Bola Tinubu as a special investigator into the affairs of the CBN and other government entities.
Okpoziakpo explained that his responsibilities included gathering intelligence, taking statements, and interrogating individuals linked to the case. He stated that investigators uncovered intelligence indicating that $6.23 million was withdrawn from the Abuja branch of the CBN with Emefiele’s approval.
According to the witness, some suspects, including one identified as Maishanu, admitted during interrogation that the withdrawal was fraudulent. He further noted that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied making any request for funds for election observers, contradicting the justification provided for the withdrawal.
The court was told that the funds were released based on documents, including a letter said to convey approval from former President Muhammadu Buhari, dated January 24, 2023.
Okpoziakpo identified several exhibits already admitted in evidence, including documents requesting the release of the funds and the purported presidential approval. He also confirmed that the payment was processed and the money disbursed.
Additionally, he testified that he personally recovered key documents from the Abuja branch of the CBN. These included records detailing the disbursement of the funds in $100 bills on February 8, 2023, as well as an internal memo authorizing the branch controller to release the money.