The 14th prosecution witness in the trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that suspects linked to the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of $6.23 million from the apex bank confessed during investigation.
Testifying before Justice Hamza Muazu at the Maitama Division of the court, Commissioner of Police Eloho Okpoziakpo said intelligence reports indicated the funds were withdrawn from the Abuja branch of the Central Bank with the approval of the former CBN governor.
Emefiele is facing an amended 20-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission bordering on alleged criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy, and obtaining money by false pretence involving $6.23 million reportedly earmarked for international election observers during Nigeria’s 2023 general election.
The former CBN governor has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), Okpoziakpo, a Commissioner of Police attached to the Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, told the court he was part of the team assisting special investigator Jim Obaze, appointed by President Bola Tinubu to probe the apex bank and other government entities.
According to the witness, investigations uncovered that some suspects, including one identified as Maishanu, admitted to their involvement in the alleged fraudulent withdrawal.
“Investigation revealed that the money was fraudulently taken because some of the suspects, including Maishanu, who we investigated, confessed,” Okpoziakpo told the court.
He added that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied requesting the funds allegedly meant for election observers.
“The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied ever requesting money for election observers, which was claimed the money was meant for. We wrote to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and they responded,” he said.
The witness identified documents already admitted as evidence, including a request for release of the funds allegedly directed to Emefiele and a purported presidential approval linked to former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Okpoziakpo further told the court he personally recovered key exhibits from the Abuja branch of the CBN, including disbursement records showing the funds were paid out in $100 denominations and internal approvals authorising the release.
He said the prosecution was relying on documentary evidence and intelligence gathered during the investigation to establish its case.
Justice Muazu adjourned proceedings for continuation of hearing.
Earlier, the court summoned Obaze and Okpoziakpo to testify in the trial and tender newspaper publications related to Nigeria’s naira redesign policy.
In a subpoena issued this month, Justice Muazu directed both witnesses to appear before the court and provide clarification on issues arising from their investigation into the charges against Emefiele.
The court said both men played roles in the investigation that culminated in the prosecution and were expected to provide relevant evidence in the ongoing proceedings.
