In a dramatic turn of events, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Mustapha, took the stand as the fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, before an Abuja High Court sitting at Maitama.
Mustapha’s testimony shed light on a startling revelation: the forgery of both his and former President Muhammadu Buhari’s signatures in the withdrawal of $6,230,000 from the vault of the apex bank on February 8, 2023.
Facing rigorous examination by the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Mustapha disavowed any knowledge or involvement in the correspondence that facilitated the withdrawal.
He adamantly denied both awareness of the transaction and receipt of any portion of the withdrawn funds.
Mustapha unequivocally refuted the validity of the authorization letter purportedly issued from his office, asserting that neither the federal government nor the SGF’s office had jurisdiction over such financial matters.
He clarified that the responsibility for liaising with foreign election observers, purportedly the intended recipients of the withdrawn funds, rested solely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Drawing on his extensive experience as SGF, Mustapha meticulously dissected the purported correspondence, highlighting glaring inconsistencies that cast doubt on its authenticity. He underscored the absence of customary protocols, such as reference numbers and official seals, which are standard features of government communications.
Moreover, he emphasized discrepancies in the language and format of the document, asserting that it diverged significantly from established procedures observed during his tenure.
Crucially, Mustapha raised serious doubts about the signature purportedly belonging to President Buhari, deeming it a “failed attempt” at replication.
He underscored the absence of customary sign-off phrases indicative of official presidential correspondence, further undermining the document’s credibility.
Prior testimony from an official of the apex bank, Mr. Onyeka Ogbu, implicated a certain Jibril Abubakar from the SGF’s office as the recipient of the withdrawn funds.
However, Mustapha refuted any association with Abubakar, asserting that the individual in question was not a staff member in his office.
Additionally, he contested the claim that President Buhari presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting where approval for the withdrawal was purportedly granted, asserting that it was actually Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who chaired the meeting.
As the trial adjourned to March 7, the gravity of the allegations against Emefiele became increasingly apparent.
The amended 20-count charge leveled against him by the EFCC encompassed accusations of criminal conspiracy, forgery, breach of trust, and undue self-enrichment.
The prosecution alleged that Emefiele, in collusion with accomplices, including one Odoh Ocheme, orchestrated the fraudulent withdrawal of $6.2 million from the CBN, falsely representing the SGF’s authorization.
In addition to the financial improprieties, the charges included allegations of nepotism and abuse of office, particularly in awarding lucrative contracts to companies linked to Emefiele’s family members.
The severity of these charges underscores the magnitude of the case and its implications for accountability within Nigeria’s financial institutions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, all eyes remain fixed on the outcome, with the hope that justice will be served and those responsible for egregious acts of corruption will be held to account.
The trial serves as a stark reminder of the imperative to uphold the principles of transparency, integrity, and accountability in safeguarding Nigeria’s financial resources for the benefit of all citizens.
