No Evidence Emefiele Got Stolen $6.2m” – EFCC Witness Tells Court

According to Ireporter Online, a witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okpoziakpo Eloho, on Thursday informed the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory that there was no evidence linking former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to the alleged theft of $6,230,000 from the apex bank.

Eloho, a Commissioner of Police attached to the Fraud Unit of the Force Headquarters in Abuja, made the disclosure during cross-examination by Emefiele’s lead counsel, Mathew Burka, SAN, in the ongoing prosecution before Justice Hamza Muazu over alleged procurement fraud and abuse of office.

The witness, who led the police investigation into the matter, stated that investigators did not uncover any proof that the former CBN governor received the said funds either in cash or through bank transfers from individuals who allegedly admitted to stealing or collecting the money. He further told the court that none of the suspects interviewed during the investigation implicated Emefiele as a beneficiary of the funds.

Eloho also confirmed that Emefiele, in his statement to investigators, denied approving or authorising the release of the funds, and rejected claims that he acted on any correspondence from the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, regarding the transaction. He added that the former CBN governor also disowned the signature on documents linked to the alleged approval.

The EFCC witness further disclosed that one Jibril Abubakar admitted during interrogation that he collected the $6.2 million from the Abuja branch of the CBN, although investigations later revealed he was not an employee of the Office of the SGF as he had claimed. He also noted that another CBN staff member, Bashirudeen Maishanu, allegedly confessed to involvement in the alleged theft, though he said he was not aware of any subsequent trial involving the suspects.

Eloho acknowledged that certain procedural breaches occurred within the CBN approval chain, stating that official correspondence from the CBN governor ought to pass through the deputy governor before proceeding down the administrative structure. He also referenced claims by Boss Mustapha that his signature on relevant documents was forged, noting that forensic examination was carried out on the SGF’s signature, while suggesting that a similar process would have been appropriate for Emefiele’s signature.

The case was adjourned to July 3 for continuation of trial proceedings.