In a dramatic turn of events at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, Nigeria, the first prosecution witness, Ogau Onyeka Michael, revealed how the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, allegedly approved a payment of $6,230,000 in cash for international election observers during the 2023 general election.
The witness, a former branch controller of the CBN Abuja branch, testified that a request for the payment came to his office on January 8, 2023. He stated that the documents for the disbursement of the substantial amount in cash were approved by the then CBN governor. Michael emphasized that the request was directed to his office, and he was responsible for processing it.
According to Michael, the memo carried the signature of the Director of Banking Services and directed the branch controller to pay the specified amount to a staff member of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for election observance. The witness affirmed that the document included the approval of the CBN governor, as well as that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the President of Nigeria.
During the trial, the prosecution sought to tender six documents as exhibits, but the defense objected, leading to a request for adjournment. The defense argued that a 30-minute break to secure original documents from the CBN complex would not be sufficient. Consequently, the trial was adjourned until February 13, 2024.
This shocking testimony has put the ex-CBN governor, Emefiele, in the spotlight, facing allegations of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining money by false pretences amounting to $6,230,000. The continuation of the trial on February 13 is highly anticipated, as the court delves deeper into this high-profile case.
