Author: Gist Correspondent

A prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that $6.23 billion was allegedly moved from the CBN under the pretext of funding foreign election observers for the 2023 general elections.

The witness, Chinedu Eneanya, who appeared before Justice Hamza Muazu as the 13th prosecution witness, said the discovery was made during investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, into allegations against Emefiele.

Emefiele is being prosecuted by the EFCC on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining by false pretence.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, Eneanya told the court that he was part of the investigative team assigned to probe the allegations and that relevant documents authorising the release of the funds were recovered from the CBN.

He stated that findings from the investigation showed that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were allegedly forged to facilitate the release of the funds, adding that forensic analysis confirmed the signatures were not genuine.

During cross-examination by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, the witness disclosed that five CBN officials who signed the internal memo linked to the transaction had been suspended by the bank.

Earlier, the defence had asked the court to foreclose the prosecution’s case if it failed to produce its remaining two witnesses at the next hearing, accusing the prosecution of delaying proceedings.

However, the prosecution opposed the application, explaining that the witnesses were outside the court’s jurisdiction in Benin City and Lagos, and urged the court to allow them conclude their case.

Justice Muazu directed both parties to reserve their arguments until final addresses and asked the prosecution to work with the court registrar to issue subpoenas for the witnesses. The case was adjourned to April 28, 2026, for continuation of trial.