RismadarVoice Reporters, April 28, 2026
A witness on Monday told the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, that a total of $6.23 million was allegedly moved from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under the pretext of funding foreign observers for the 2023 general elections.
The witness, Chinedu Eneanya, who testified as the 13th prosecution witness (PW13), disclosed Justice Hamza Muazu in the ongoing trial of former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (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, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rotimi Oyedepo, Eneanya told the court that he was part of the investigative team assigned to probe the allegations against the defendant.
He stated that investigations revealed the $6.23 million was withdrawn from CBN funds allegedly meant for the financing of foreign election observers during the 2023 polls. According to him, several individuals linked to the disbursement were invited and interrogated, and relevant documents authorising the release of the funds were also recovered from the apex bank.
The witness further alleged that forensic analysis conducted on the documents showed that the signatures of former President Muhammadu Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, were forged to facilitate the release of the funds.
He added that the forensic examination concluded the signatures attributed to both officials were not genuine.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, Eneanya confirmed that five CBN officials who signed an internal memo connected to the transaction had been suspended by the bank.
Earlier in the proceedings, the defence counsel urged the court to foreclose the prosecution’s case if it failed to produce its remaining two witnesses at the next adjourned date, alleging undue delay tactics.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, with Oyedepo arguing that the witnesses were available but located outside the court’s immediate jurisdiction in Benin City and Lagos, and that efforts were ongoing to secure their attendance.
Justice Muazu declined to rule on the application at that stage, advising both parties to address it during final written submissions. The court also directed the prosecution to work with the registrar to issue subpoenas for the remaining witnesses.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday, April 28, 2026, for continuation of the trial.
