EFCC Witness: No Evidence Linking Emefiele to $6.2 Million Fraud

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, witness on Thursday told an Abuja High Court that former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor Godwin Emefiele did not benefit from an alleged $6.2 million fraud.

CP Okpoziakpo Eloho, the 14th prosecution witness, PW14, said this during cross-examination by Emefiele’s counsel, Mr. Matthew Burkaa, SAN.

Emefiele is facing charges of criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence while serving as CBN governor. 

The EFCC specifically accused him of conferring corrupt advantages on two companies — April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd. He has pleaded not guilty.

*What the witness said*

Eloho, who led the police investigation of the former CBN governor, said Emefiele denied approving or authorizing the release of the money to anyone in a statement he made on Dec. 13, 2023 at Kuje Correctional Centre.

He also said Emefiele denied receiving any letter from then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, or acting on such a letter.

The witness said one Jibril Abubakar appeared before the probe panel and admitted collecting the $6.2 million from the Abuja branch of the CBN. He said investigation, however, revealed that Abubakar was never an employee of the SGF office despite claiming to be.

“None of those interviewed or investigated in respect of the money told investigators that the defendant benefitted in one way or the other,” Eloho said.

He said he was not aware whether Abubakar had been tried in any court.

Eloho also said Bashirudeen Maishanu, a CBN staff, was interrogated and confessed to stealing the money.

When shown exhibits including correspondences on the processing, approval and release of the funds, the witness admitted that protocol was breached. 

“Going by the hierarchy of the management of the apex bank, correspondence from the CBN governor ought to go to the deputy governor and from there downwards,” he said.

The case was adjourned.