A Commissioner of Police has informed the FCT High Court, Maitama, on Tuesday that the alleged $6.23 million fraudulently withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria was paid with the approval of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Testifying as Prosecution Witness 14 before Justice Hamza Mu’azu, CP Eloho E. Ekpoziakpho said investigations showed the money was taken from the CBN branch in Abuja “with the governor’s approval when the defendant was the governor.”
Emefiele is standing trial on an amended 20-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, forgery, abuse of office and conspiracy to obtain by false pretence.
Ekpoziakpho, who heads the Special Fraud Unit, Lagos, said he took part in Emefiele’s interrogation alongside special investigator Jim Obazee. “We did an investigation and that was what led to his interrogation. The defendant was investigated,” he told the court.
The witness said some suspects confessed during the probe, while the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation denied requesting payment for foreign election observers.
He identified a letter dated 26 January 2023, purportedly from the SGF, conveying former President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval for the CBN to pay $6.23 million to foreign election observers. The document was addressed to Emefiele as CBN Governor.
“Our findings relating to that document showed that it was honoured. It was treated and the money was paid. We recovered the document from the CBN where the money was cashed,” Ekpoziakpho said.
He added that $6.23 million was paid out on 8 February 2023, based on a memo from the CBN’s Director of Banking Services instructing payment.
Defence counsel Matthew Burkaa, SAN, objected under Section 128 of the Evidence Act, arguing the witness could not give evidence on documents supplied by the prosecution.
Prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, countered that the documents were already admitted. Justice Mu’azu ruled that the witness could be asked questions on the documents but not delve into their contents.
The court adjourned the matter till 2 and 3 July 2026 for continuation of trial.
