A prosecution witness has told the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, that $6.23 million was allegedly moved from the coffers of the Central Bank of Nigeria under the guise of funding foreign observers for the 2023 general elections.
The witness, Chinedu Eneanya, testified on Monday before Justice Hamza Muazu while giving evidence in the trial involving former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Emefiele is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery, abuse of office and obtaining by false pretence.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Eneanya, the 13th prosecution witness, told the court he was part of the investigative team assigned to examine the alleged diversion of funds.
He testified that investigations showed the $6.23 million was disbursed from CBN accounts ostensibly for the financing of foreign election observers during the 2023 polls.
According to him, individuals linked to the transaction were interrogated, while relevant authorisation documents were retrieved from the apex bank during the probe.
The witness further alleged that signatures purportedly belonging to 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 forensic analysis conducted on the documents indicated that the signatures were not authentic.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa, SAN, Eneanya confirmed that five CBN officials who signed an internal memo related to the transaction had been suspended by the bank.
Earlier in proceedings, the defence applied for the foreclosure of the prosecution’s case, arguing delay in presenting remaining witnesses. However, the prosecution opposed the request, stating that difficulties in securing witnesses—who are reportedly in Benin and Lagos—had affected scheduling.
Justice Muazu declined to rule on the application at that stage, advising both parties to address the issue in their final submissions. He also directed the prosecution to work with the court registry to issue subpoenas to ensure witness attendance.
The case was adjourned to Tuesday, 28 April 2026, for continuation of trial.
