Emefiele Forged Buhari’s Signature, Seal to Take $6.2 million from CBN, Witness Tells Court

A “forensic analyst” has told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele presented a forged document to take out $6, 230, 000 from the CBN.

The forensic analyst identified as Bamaiyi Meriga, witness was called by the prosecuting counsel of the Economic and Financials Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the ongoing trial of Mr. Emefiele.

Emefiele is standing trial before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal High Court on a 20-count charges including, act of corrupt advantages, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery and obtaining by false pretenses to the tune of $6,230,000.

Under cross examination by the EFCC Prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, the forensic analyst confirmed that after the analysis of the document presented as evidence against Emefiele, he could confirm that the signature and seal of the former President Muhammadu Buhari were forged to withdrew the sum of 46,230,000 from the CBN on the guise that the money was meant to pay foreign election observer groups.

The two documents including a presidential directive and a purported to have originated from the the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Boss Musthapha were admitted in evidence against the former CBN boss.

Though the counsel to to Emefiele, Mr. Matthew Burkaaa protested against the witness who said he was a staff of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), the trial judge adjourned the matter to March 11, 2024 for continuation of trial.