Emefiele: Forged documents used to pay foreign observers $6.2m — Ex-SGF
Former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, revealed on Tuesday that $6.2 million was unlawfully released from the Central Bank of Nigeria in February 2023 based on a forged document.
Mustapha made this disclosure while serving as the fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing fraud trial of the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that on February 8, 2023, Emefiele collaborated with an individual named Odoh Ocheme, currently evading arrest, to unlawfully obtain $6.2 million from the CBN, citing a request purportedly made by the SGF in a letter dated January 26, 2023, with Reference Number SGF.43/L.01/.
Furthermore, the anti-graft agency accused Emefiele of forging a document titled "RE: PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE ON FOREIGN ELECTION OBSERVER MISSIONS," dated January 26, 2023, with Reference Number SGF.43/L.01/201.
Under questioning by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), Mustapha affirmed that neither of these documents originated from the president or his office.
He explicitly stated, "Throughout my tenure as the SGF, I never encountered these documents purportedly signed by Buhari. From my extensive experience serving for five years and seven months in that role, it is evident that these documents lack authenticity."
Mustapha elaborated on several discrepancies within the documents, including the absence of the Nigerian president's seal on a correspondence, the unconventional transmission of Federal Executive Council (FEC) decisions via letters, and the unfamiliar terminology such as "special appropriation provision."
Additionally, he emphasized that the style and language used in the documents were inconsistent with those typically employed by the president's office, highlighting phrases like "please accept the assurance of my highest regard," which he noted were not customary in presidential correspondences.
Lastly, Mustapha pointed out apparent discrepancies in the signature purported to be that of President Buhari, suggesting it was a failed attempt at reproduction.
He concluded by expressing confidence in leaving the verification of the signature to forensic experts.
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