EFCC Witness Says Godwin Emefiele Did Not Benefit From Alleged $6.2 Million Fraud as Trial Continues

EFCC Witness Says Godwin Emefiele Did Not Benefit From Alleged $6.2 Million Fraud as Trial Continues

The trial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele took a significant turn on Thursday after an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) witness told an Abuja High Court that investigators found no evidence that the former apex bank chief personally benefited from the alleged $6.2 million fraud.

The testimony came from Commissioner of Police (CP) Okpoziakpo Eloho, the EFCC's 14th prosecution witness, during cross-examination by Emefiele's counsel, Matthew Burkaa (SAN).

EFCC Witness: No Evidence Emefiele Benefited From the Funds

While testifying before the court, CP Eloho confirmed that none of the individuals questioned during the investigation informed investigators that Godwin Emefiele received or benefited from the disputed $6.2 million.

According to the witness, Emefiele consistently denied authorising the release of the money or approving payment to any individual.

He also denied receiving any official communication from the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, regarding the transaction.

EFCC Charges Against Godwin Emefiele

The former CBN governor is currently facing multiple charges filed by the EFCC, including:

- Criminal breach of trust

- Forgery

- Abuse of office

- Conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence

- Obtaining money by false pretence

The anti-graft agency also alleges that Emefiele improperly conferred financial advantages on April 1616 Nigeria Ltd and Architekon Nigeria Ltd.

Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Investigation Reveals Confession by Jibril Abubakar

During his testimony, CP Eloho disclosed that Jibril Abubakar appeared before the investigative panel and admitted collecting the $6.2 million from the Abuja branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

However, investigations later established that although Abubakar claimed to be an employee in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he was never officially employed there.

The witness added that he was unaware whether Abubakar had been prosecuted despite his alleged confession.

CBN Staff Allegedly Confessed to Stealing the Money

The EFCC witness further revealed that another individual, Bashirudeen Maishanu, a staff member of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was interrogated during the investigation and allegedly confessed to stealing the money.

When presented with official documents and internal correspondences relating to the approval and release of the funds, CP Eloho acknowledged before the court that established procedures within the CBN were not followed.

Witness Admits CBN Protocol Was Breached

According to the witness, standard administrative procedures require official correspondence from the CBN Governor to pass through the Deputy Governor before moving down the chain of command.

He admitted that this protocol was breached during the processing and release of the disputed funds.

CP Eloho also recalled obtaining a statement from Emefiele at the Kuje Correctional Centre on December 13, 2023, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Trial Continues

The case remains before the Abuja High Court as the prosecution and defence continue presenting evidence.

The outcome of the trial is expected to have significant implications for one of Nigeria's most closely watched corruption cases involving a former Central Bank governor.

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