Court hears ex-President and SGF’s signatures were falsified to release funds, as defence raises gaps in investigation and challenges prosecution’s case.

A dramatic twist has surfaced in the ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) told the court that key signatures used to withdraw millions of dollars were forged.

Appearing before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja on Monday, the anti-graft agency alleged that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were falsified to facilitate the release of $6.23 million.

The revelation came during the resumed hearing of the case (FCT/HC/CR/577/2023), where Emefiele is facing a 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, and obtaining money under false pretence.

Testifying as the 13th prosecution witness, EFCC Assistant Commander II, Chinedu Eneanya, explained that investigators uncovered how the funds were allegedly moved from the CBN under the pretext of financing foreign election observers for the 2023 general elections.

According to him, a special investigative team retrieved several documents from the apex bank, which are now part of the evidence before the court.

“The investigation revealed that the sum of $6.2 million was removed from the CBN for purported funding of foreign observers,” he told the court.

Eneanya added that individuals linked to the transaction were invited for questioning, while forensic analysis was conducted on critical approval documents. The results, he said, showed that the signatures of Buhari and Mustapha were not genuine, pointing to a deliberate attempt to unlawfully move public funds.

However, under cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burkaa (SAN), the prosecution’s case showed cracks. The witness admitted that no forensic analysis was conducted on Emefiele’s own signature, despite claims by the former CBN governor that it may also have been forged.

He further disclosed that five CBN officials endorsed the memo authorising the release of the funds, yet none of them is currently standing trial. Instead, they were only suspended by the bank.

Eneanya also acknowledged that he did not personally obtain any statement from Emefiele and had no direct evidence linking the former CBN boss to receiving the funds. While a claim was made that money was collected on Emefiele’s behalf, the witness admitted that he did not investigate that allegation.

Earlier, the defence criticised the prosecution’s approach, describing it as repetitive and time-wasting. Burkaa argued that calling another investigating officer to testify added no new value, suggesting the prosecution was recycling evidence.

“We understand their strategy. It seems they are ridiculing the court. All the same, we are ready to proceed,” he said.

The defence also urged the court to consider closing the prosecution’s case if it fails to produce its remaining witnesses at the next hearing, especially as some have yet to be served and are reportedly outside the court’s jurisdiction.

In response, prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) insisted that two more witnesses would testify and appealed to the court not to shut out the case, assuring commitment to a fair and speedy trial.

Presiding judge, Justice Hamza Muazu, directed both sides to reserve further arguments for their final written addresses and instructed the prosecution to ensure the attendance of its remaining witnesses.

The case was adjourned for continuation, with Emefiele maintaining his not-guilty plea to all charges.