Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness on Thursday told an Abuja High Court that former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, did not benefit from the alleged $6.2 million fraud linked to the apex bank.
The witness, CP Okpoziakpo Eloho, the 14th prosecution witness, made the disclosure during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN).
According to Eloho, Emefiele denied authorising the release of the funds, receiving any letter from former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, or acting on such correspondence.
He further told the court that investigations revealed Jibril Abubakar, who admitted collecting the $6.2 million from the Abuja branch of the CBN, was not an employee of the SGF as he had claimed.
The witness also confirmed that none of the individuals interviewed during the investigation stated that Emefiele benefited from the funds. He added that a CBN staff member, Bashirudeen Maishanu, allegedly confessed to stealing the money.
Eloho admitted that due process was breached in the approval and release of the funds, noting that the proper chain of correspondence within the CBN hierarchy was not followed.
He also told the court that while forensic analysis was conducted on Boss Mustapha’s signature over the alleged forged document, a similar examination of Emefiele’s signature would have been appropriate.
Following arguments over the admissibility of additional exhibits during re-examination, Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the case until Friday for continuation of hearing.
