A prosecution witness, CP Eloho Okpozikbo, on Tuesday told an Abuja High Court that $6.23 million was fraudulently taken from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) while Godwin Emefiele was governor of the apex bank.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged Godwin Emefiele with criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, and obtaining money by false pretence.
The anti-graft agency alleges that Emefiele obtained by false pretence the sum of $6.23 million, said to be earmarked for international election observers for the 2023 general elections. He has, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.
At the resumed hearing, the witness was led in evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo SAN.
Testifying as the 14th prosecution witness (PW14), Eloho Okpozikpo, who led the investigative team, told the court that the funds were unlawfully disbursed following confessions obtained during interrogation.
Okpozikpo said; “ the money was fraudulently taken because some of the suspects we interrogated confessed to that.
” The office of the Secretary General of the Federation (SGF) denied ever requesting the payment.”
He further stated: “There was a letter from the SGF, purportedly approving a presidential directive for $6.23million for the elections observers ” the witness said.
According to him, the document was addressed to Emefiele in his capacity as CBN governor, adding that the request was processed and funds released.
He told the court that investigations also uncovered documents from the CBN Abuja branch where the money was disbursed, including records showing payments made on February 8, 2023, and a memo from the Director of Banking Services to the Branch Controller authorising the transaction.
The prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedepo SAN, asked the witness to confirm details from the documents, a move that was strongly opposed by defence counsel, Matthew Burkaa SAN, who accused the prosecution of improperly leading the witness through already tendered evidence.
Responding, Oyedepo defended his approach, insisting the witness was only being asked to explain findings.
He said, “We take exception to the aspersion that the defence is casting on the prosecution.”
Justice Hamza Muazu cautioned both parties to ensure efficient use of the court’s time, while directing that the witness should not be repeatedly taken through documents already before the court.
The witness, however, maintained that the approval originated from a purported presidential directive transmitted through the SGF’s office and ultimately executed by the CBN.
Justice Muazu subsequently adjourned the matter until July 2 for continuation of hearing.
