A prosecution witness on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that $6.23 million was allegedly withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the pretext of financing foreign observers for the 2023 general elections.
The witness, Chinedu Eneanya, who appeared as the 13th prosecution witness (PW13) in the trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, testified before Justice Hamza Muazu that the funds were improperly moved from the apex bank’s accounts following what investigators described as a fraudulent approval process.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Emefiele on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining by false pretence.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Eneanya told the court that he was part of the investigative team assigned to examine the circumstances surrounding the disbursement of the funds.
He said findings showed that the money was released ostensibly for election-related foreign observer activities.
According to him, investigators interviewed several individuals linked to the transaction and retrieved relevant documentation from the CBN authorising the payment.
However, Eneanya further alleged that forensic examination of the documents revealed that signatures attributed to former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged to facilitate the release of the funds.
He added that forensic experts concluded the signatures on the approval documents did not match authentic specimens of the officials’ signatures.
During cross-examination by defence counsel Matthew Burkaa (SAN), the witness confirmed that five CBN officials who signed internal documents connected to the transaction had been suspended by the bank.
Earlier in the proceedings, Burkaa urged the court to consider foreclosing the prosecution’s case if it failed to produce its remaining two witnesses at the next sitting, arguing that repeated delays were affecting the progress of the trial.
Opposing the application, Oyedepo maintained that the prosecution was not deliberately delaying proceedings but was encountering logistical difficulties in producing witnesses who are reportedly outside the court’s jurisdiction in Lagos and Benin City.
He asked the court to allow the prosecution additional time to present its remaining witnesses.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Muazu advised both parties to reserve their arguments until the final address stage of the trial.
He also directed the prosecution to work with the court registry to issue subpoenas to secure the attendance of the remaining witnesses.
The case was adjourned until Tuesday, April 28, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
