ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, refuted claims on Tuesday that former President Muhammadu Buhari had approved a cash withdrawal of $6.2 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), asserting that Buhari’s signature was forged.
Testifying as the fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Godwin Emefiele, the former CBN governor, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, Mustapha discredited assertions made by a former CBN controller, Onyeka Ogbu, who claimed to have received written approval from the former president Buhari, Mustapha, and Emefiele for the controversial payment.
Emefiele faces criminal charges of fraud and corruption, allegations he has consistently denied, including during his rearrangement on amended 20 counts in January.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Mr. Mustapha testified that neither he nor Buhari authorized the withdrawal of the funds.
He pointed out discrepancies in the purported approval letter, highlighting that it lacked a reference number and failed to adhere to standard government protocol.
Furthermore, Mustapha clarified that, throughout his tenure as SGF, he never encountered such documents nor received any funds from the mentioned transaction.
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Addressing specific claims made in court, Mustapha debunked the notion that a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on 18 January, 2023, authorized the release of the funds, emphasizing that it was the first meeting of the year and not the 187th session as indicated.
Furthermore, Mustapha clarified: “My Lord, there was a meeting and it was the first meeting, not 187. It was the first meeting of the year. My Lord, all FEC meetings are normally Presided over by the President or Vice president. In the case of 18 January, it was the Vice president who presided over the meeting because the President was not around.”
He added, “In all the correspondences I have received from Buhari, it has never had or ended with: ‘Please accept the assurance of my highest regard.’ I am his subordinate. My correspondences do not carry that.”
He emphasized that FEC decisions are not transmitted via letters and questioned the authenticity of the document allegedly originating from his office.
Mustapha’s testimony sheds light on the intricate web of allegations surrounding the $6.2 million payment, underscoring the gravity of the accusations leveled against Emefiele.
The trial is set to continue on 7 March, as the court awaits further evidence and testimonies.
Emefiele faces amended 20 counts of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust, among other charges. These allegations stem from a report by special investigators commissioned by President Bola Tinubu to probe the activities of the CBN during Mr. Emefiele’s tenure.
The investigation highlighted a fraudulent cash withdrawal of $6.23 million from the CBN vault on 8 February, 2023, purportedly authorized by Buhari, Mustapha, and Emefiele for the payment of foreign election observers during the 2023 general elections.
Emefiele has consistently denied all charges against him, maintaining his innocence in the face of legal proceedings.