Emefiele trial: Suspects confessed to $6.23m fraud, court hears

The ongoing trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, took a new turn on Tuesday as a prosecution witness told a Federal Capital Territory High Court that suspects confessed to the fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the apex bank.

 

Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu at the Maitama Division on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence.

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that the funds, reportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections, were fraudulently disbursed.

 

Testifying as the 14th prosecution witness, Commissioner of Police Eloho Okpoziakpo of the Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, told the court that intelligence reports linked the withdrawal to approvals allegedly granted by the former CBN governor.

 

“Investigation revealed that the money was fraudulently taken because some of the suspects, including Maishanu, who we investigated, confessed,” he said.

 

Okpoziakpo added that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) denied requesting the funds, contradicting claims that the money was meant for election observers.

 

“We wrote to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and they responded,” he told the court.

 

According to the witness, the withdrawal was supported by documents, including a letter conveying purported presidential approval by former President Muhammadu Buhari, dated January 24, 2023.

 

He identified key exhibits already admitted in evidence, noting that Exhibit PD6 was the request for the release of funds addressed to Emefiele, while Exhibit PD7 was the alleged approval.

 

The witness further stated that he personally recovered documents detailing the disbursement of the funds in $100 denominations from the CBN Abuja branch.

 

Emefiele, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

 

Justice Muazu adjourned the case until July 2, 2026, for continuation of hearing.