Former Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, dropped a bombshell on Tuesday during his appearance as the fourth prosecution witness in the ongoing fraud trial of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Mustapha asserted that $6.2 million was illicitly released from the Central Bank in February 2023 using a forged document.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleges that Emefiele, in collusion with Odoh Ocheme, obtained $6.2 million from the CBN on February 8, 2023, claiming it was at the behest of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) through a letter dated January 26, 2023.
Mustapha, led by prosecution counsel Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), refuted the authenticity of the documents, emphasizing they did not come from the president or his office. He categorically denied ever receiving any funds from the mentioned transaction.
The former SGF dismantled the alleged presidential directive document, pointing out critical irregularities. He highlighted the absence of a reference number on official presidential documents, emphasizing the seal as the ultimate authority. Mustapha also discredited the terminology used, noting that he had never encountered the terms mentioned in his extensive service.
In a compelling testimony, Mustapha emphasized, “Looking at the signature, it is a failed attempt at reproducing Buhari’s signature. I will leave that to the experts.”
As the trial unfolds, the revelations cast a shadow over the integrity of the financial transactions and the actions of high-profile officials. Stay tuned for further developments in this unfolding saga.
