Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele, is currently facing trial at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja. The trial, presided over by Justice Hamza Muazu, involves allegations of corrupt practices, conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and obtaining by false pretences amounting to $6,230,000 (Six Million, Two Hundred and Thirty Thousand Dollars).
The first prosecution witness, Ogau Onyeka Michael, a former branch controller of the CBN, Abuja branch, testified on Monday, February 12, 2024. He detailed how Emefiele allegedly approved the payment in cash for international election observers during the 2023 general election. According to Michael, the request for payment came on January 8, 2023, and was channeled to his office. The documents for the disbursement of the money were approved by Emefiele, who was the CBN boss at the time.
Michael explained that the request, which was for $6,230,000, came from the banking services department. The memo instructed the branch controller to pay the sum to a staff of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for election observance. The document also stated that the money should be refunded in the second quarter of 2023 by the Federal Ministry of Finance. Michael testified that he processed the payment, which was made in cash on April 8, 2023.
During the trial, the prosecution sought to tender six documents as exhibits, but the defence objected, arguing that two of the documents were photocopies. The court adjourned the matter till February 13, 2024, for the continuation of the trial.
Daily Nigerian