The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Godwin Emefiele took a dramatic turn after Jim Obazee, the special investigator appointed by President Bola Tinubu, questioned why only Emefiele was being prosecuted over the alleged removal of $6.2 million from the apex bank.
Emefiele is facing a 20 count amended charge involving alleged criminal breach of trust, procurement fraud, forgery, abuse of office and conspiracy to release $6.23 million said to have been meant for international election observers during the 2023 general election. He has denied the allegations and is on bail.
Obazee appeared before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory as the 15th and final prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
While being led in evidence by EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, Obazee said all persons mentioned in the alleged transaction should be brought before the court. He referred to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, CBN staff member Bashirudeen Maishanu, officials in the former SGF’s office, the Abuja branch manager of the CBN and members of the CBN Board at the time.
His position followed the presentation of letters allegedly linked to the release of the funds, including a purported presidential approval and correspondence from the office of the SGF. Obazee said later denials by those linked to the documents made the case more troubling and raised questions about why the prosecution was limited to Emefiele.
Under cross examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mathew Burka, Obazee said he did not recover any money from the former CBN governor and had no evidence that money was transferred to Emefiele’s account. He said, however, that Emefiele should have known of the transaction if proper internal controls at the CBN had been followed.
The prosecution closed its case after calling 15 witnesses and tendering documents. Emefiele’s counsel indicated that a no case submission would be filed. Justice Hamza Muazu adjourned the matter to October 20.
