The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday that the signatures of the late President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha on documents authorising the transfer of US$6.23 million were forged. The EFCC alleges that five senior officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) misappropriated the funds, which were supposedly earmarked for foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections.
The testimony was part of the resumed trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, who faces an amended 20‑count indictment that includes criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and obtaining money by false pretence. The case, filed as FCT/HC/CR/577/2023, accuses Emefiele of knowingly facilitating the false‑pretence acquisition of the US$6.23 million and of granting corrupt advantages to two companies, April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. Emefiele pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
EFCC Assistant Commander II Chinedu Eneanya, the thirteenth prosecution witness, recounted the agency’s investigation. He said the probe identified the removal of the money from the CBN’s coffers under the pretense of funding foreign election observers. Forensic examination, according to Eneanya, confirmed that the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha had been forged. He added that five CBN officers signed the internal memorandum authorising the disbursement, but none of them is currently on trial; they were only suspended by the bank.
During cross‑examination, defence counsel Mathew Burkaa, SAN, questioned the scope of the forensic work, noting that Emefiale’s signature was not examined despite his claim that it too had been forged. Burkaa also highlighted that the EFCC had already presented its “last witness” in earlier hearings, suggesting a pattern of delay.
The prosecution, represented by SAN Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that two additional witnesses – Jim Obessa and CP Eloho Okpozikbo – would be called. Oyedepo indicated that subpoenas were still being secured and that the witnesses were located outside the court’s jurisdiction in Benin and Lagos. He requested that the court grant an extension to summon them before the next hearing scheduled for 28 April.
Burkaa moved to have the EFCC’s case dismissed if the two witnesses failed to appear, arguing that the prosecution was deliberately causing hardship for the defendant. Justice Hamza Muazu rejected the request, urging both parties to reserve their arguments for final statements and directing Oyedepo to obtain the necessary subpoenas from the registrar. The trial was adjourned to 28 April for continuation.
The proceedings underscore ongoing scrutiny of high‑level financial management in Nigeria and the EFCC’s effort to recover alleged misappropriated funds. The outcome of the upcoming hearing will determine whether the prosecution can present its remaining evidence and proceed with the case against the former central bank governor.
