Emefiele: Documents Used To Pay Election Observers $6.2m Forged, Says Forensic Analyst
The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, progressed on Thursday before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, where a forensic analyst confirmed that the documents used to request the payment of $6.2 million for foreign election observers were forged.
The witness, Bamaiyi Meriga, called by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), informed the court that after conducting a forensic analysis of the disputed documents, he found clear evidence of signature forgery, with seals of execution differing from the original. He further confirmed that the signatures did not match those of former President Muhammad Buhari and ex-Secretary General of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The two documents, namely the presidential directive on foreign observer election, were tendered as evidence and admitted by the trial judge, Justice Muazu.
During cross-examination by Emefiele's counsel, the witness clarified that he was not an EFCC staff and was not remunerated by the anti-graft agency, but rather received his salary through the Nigeria Immigration Service.
Emefiele's counsel, Matthew Burkaa, expressed dissatisfaction with the witness's conduct, alleging that he evaded questions and misled the court.
However, the Prosecution Counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, voiced displeasure with the defense counsel.
The trial has been adjourned until March 11 for further proceedings.
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